DR.  J.  B.  ALEXANDER. 


THE  HISTORY 


Of    Mecklenburg   County 


Krom  1740  to  1900. 


BY 


J.  B.  ALEXANDER,  M.  D., 

Charlotte,  N.  C. 


190a 


CHARLOTTE.  N.  C: 
Oeskrvek  Printing  House. 

1902. 


V  --^ 


COPYRIGHT  1902 

BY 

J.  B.  ALEXANDER,  M.  D. 


h- 


Index  to  IllustraLtiorvs. 

The  Author , Frontispiece 

Aiap  of  the  County Page       i 

Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell 70 

Margaret  Alexander  Lowrie 135 

Samuel  J.  Lowrie,  Esq 136 

Capt.  John  Walker 137 

James  Davis 139 

Dr.  Isaac  Wilson 149 

William  Maxwell    152 

Dr.  Samuel  B.  Watson 156 

Robert  Davidson  Alexander 159 

Adam  Brevard  Davidson 164 

W.  F.  Phifer 168 

Col.  Zeb  Morris 172 

Gen.  W.  H.  Neal 175 

Brawley  Oates 177 

Dr.  David  R.  Dunlap 178 

Rev.  W.  W.  Pharr,  D.  D 180 

Dr.  W.  A.  Ardrey 182 

Lieut.  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill 186 

Dr.  Robert  Gibbon 190 

Maj.  Jennings  B.  Kerr 195 

Gen.  Rufus  Barringer 197 

Senator  Z.  B.  Vance 209 

Hon.  James  W.  Osborne 231 

Rev.  A.  W.  Miller,  D.  D 258 

Mecklenburg  County  Court  House 376 


Index. 

Preface   Page       3 

— Early  Settlement 9 

'-Early  Recollections  of  Charlotte.  . 12 

May  20,  1775 25 

Martin's  Historical  Account  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence 28 

Prominent  Men  who  Took  an  Active  Part.  .  33 

The  Celebration  of  May  20,  1775,  in  the  Year  1825  42 

A  Historical  Fact  Not  Generally  Known 47 

Troops  Furnished  for  the  War  of  1812-14 52 

Members  of  General  Assembly  from  1777  to  1902, 

Inclusive,  and  Time  of  Service 58 

County  Officers  and  Time  of  Service 61 

Rev.  Alexander  Craighead 66 

Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell 71 

Lives  and  Peculiarities  of  Some  of  the  Signers.  .  73 

Some  of  the  Bar  One  Hundred  Years  Ago.  ...  91 

President  James  Knox  Polk 95 

William  Davidson 97 

Gov.  Nathaniel  Alexander 98 

Maj.  Green  W.  Caldwell 99 

The  Opinion  of  the  Ladies 100 

Matthew  Wallace  and  George  Wallace loi 

Adam  Alexander 104 

Humphrey  Hunter   107 

PI  ope  well  Church  and  Graveyard 115 

The  Part  Mecklenburg  Took  in  Mexican  War.  .  .  118 

Banks  and  Banking. 119 

Some  of  the  Prominent  Citizens  in  the  First  Half 

of  the  Nineteenth  Century 120 

The  Champions  of  the  County 123 

Blind  Dick 124 

Negroes  Before  the  War  Between  the  States. .  .  .  125 


INDEX.  Ill 

State  Laws  Before  the  War  in  1865 Page  129 

Biographical   Sketches    131 

The  Central  Hotel 194 

The  Charlotte  Hotel 195 

Rufus  Barringer,  of  Cabarrus  and  Mecklenburg.  .  197 

The  Great  Commoner,  Z.  B.  Vance 209 

Calvin  Eli  Grier 222 

Matthew  Wallace  and  Family 225 

Capt.  John  Randolph  Erwin 227 

Hon.  James  W.  Osborne 231 

Rev.  John  Hunter 234 

The  Hunter  Family 235 

The  Descendants  of  Some  of  the  Famous  Men 

who  Fought  in  the  Revolutionary  War 237 

Many  Men  Who  Sustained  a  Splendid  Reputation 
as  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Various  Years 

of  the  Nineteenth  Century 

Rev.  John  McCamie  Wilson,  D.  D 252 

Rev.  A.  W.  Miller,  D.  D 258 

Two  Church  Sessions  Act  as  a  Unit 261 

Methodists  in  the  County 264 

Roman  Catholic  Church 271 

The  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterians 272 

The  Lutheran  Church 276 

The  Baptist  Denomination 277 

The  Rock  Springs  Burying  Ground 279 

Sugar  Creek  Church 281 

Steele  Creek  Church ^        286 

Providence  Church 291 

Flowers  Now  and  One  Hundred  Years  Ago 295 

The  Old  Four-Horse  Stage 297 

Lee  Dunlap  Kills  James  Gleason 299 

Mint  Built  in  1836 ' 302 

The  Two  Town  Pumps 303 

Public  Works  in  Charlotte  Fifty  Years  Ago. .  . .  304 

Changes  in  Mecklenburg  in  the  Last  Century.  .  .  .  308 

Healthfulness  of  Mecklenburg 311 


IV  INDKX. 

Snow  on  the  15th  of  April,  1849 Fa^^  313 

Aurora  Borealis  as  Seen  in  October,  1865 314 

Stars  Fell  in  the  Fall  of  1833 315 

The  Passing  of  an  Aerolite  From  West  to  East. .  316 

Earthquake  Shocks  in  1886 317 

Progress 320 

Gentlemen  and  Ladies  Before  the  Civil  War 323 

Patrol  in  Slavery  Times 329 

Roster  of  Confederate  Troops 333 

Reconstruction  Times  in  Mecklenburg   361 

Last  Chapter  of  Mecklenburg  History 370 

Appendix  385 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY 


PREFACE 

To  those  who  do  me  the  honor  of  reading  the  history  as 
prepared,  it  is  necessary  that  I  should  say  I  am  indebted  in 
greater  or  less  degree,  to  Foot's  Sketches  of  North  Carolina, 
Wheelers  History  of  North  Carolina,  Martin's  History, 
written  between  1791  and  1809,  but  not  published  till  a  later 
date;  also  I  am  indebted  to  manuscripts  of  Mrs.  H.  M.  Ir\nn, 
deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  Mecklenburg  Historical  So- 
ciety; also  largel}^  to  manuscripts  of  Lyman  Draper,  of 
Wisconsin.  Prof.  Draper  spent  much  time  and  took  great 
pains  in  looking  up  the  early  history  of  Mecklenburg,  and 
left  no  stone  unturned  that  might  throw  light  on  the  char- 
acter of  those  early  patriots,  who  risked  everything  to  estab- 
lish independence.  This  was  indeed  a  bold  act,  to  sever  all 
relations  with  the  mother  countiw.  knowing  that  not  to  suc- 
ceed, meant  death  on  fhe  gallows.  Tbe  Rubicon  was 
crossed,  and  they  could  not  go  back.  Patriots  of  the  county 
held  many  meetings  and  debated  the  question  earnestly  be- 
fore the  final  meeting  in  Charlotte  on  the  19th  and  20th  of 
May,  1775.  All  the  costs  were  counted,  and  each  one  knew 
what  the  consequences  would  be  if  they  should  fail.  They 
were  in  desperate  straits — either  to  live  as  slaves  and  sub- 
mit to  all  the  indignities  of  a  subjudicated  province,  or  make 
a  declaration  of  independence,  maintain  their  freedom  by 
force  of  arms,  trusting  in  the  God  of  right.  This  last  re- 
solve was  adopted,  success  was  achieved,  and  Mecklenburg 
occupied  the  foremo'st  place  for  patriotism  in  all  this  mights- 
continent.  Strange  that  a  history  of  so^  remarkable  a  coim- 
tr)'  should  have  been  neglected  so  long,  and  only  here  and 
there  a  fugitive  piece  has  been  preserved;  many  things  of 
note  were  enacted  by  patriots  more  than  a  century  ago  that 
are  now  faded  from  memory,  that  s'hould  have  been  pre- 
served   by    those   who   lived    at    that    time.     It    has    been 


4  HISTORY  OF 

characteristic  of  North  Carolinians  to  make  history,  but  not 
to  write  it. 

Tn  writing-  the  History  of  Mecklenburg  County,  I  find 
it  very  difficult  not  to  trespass  on  the  confines  of  neighboring 
counties,  and  not  to  follow  people  who  have  gone  out  from 
our  borders.  The  history  of  a  State,  or  a  county,  is  almost 
entirely  the  history-  of  the  people  who  constitute  the  inhabi- 
tants; all  that  part  of  Mecklenburg  county,  or  the  greater 
portion  of  the  county,  was  settled  with  the  Scotch-Irish, 
but  the  part  that  was  given'  to  form  Cabarrus,  had  many  of 
German  extraction.  This  eastern  border  was  trimmed  in 
1 79 1,  and  the  southeastern  section  was  lopped  off  to  form 
Cabarrus  coimty,was  peopled  with  the  Scotch-Irish,  the  same 
people  that  populated  Mecklenburg. 

In  the  years  1830  to  1855,  quite  a  large  emigration  of 
our  people  to  all  of  the  Western  States  was  effected,  that  was 
to  the  detriment  of  our  county,  but  tended  to  the  advance- 
ment O'f  all  the  interests  of  the  States  to  which  they  migrated. 
From  the  latter  period,  but  a  small  per  cent,  moved  away — 
in  comparison  to  the  number  that  moved  previously.  From 
the  location,  being  placed  in  the  southern  part  of  the  Pied- 
mont section,  filled  with  the  best  of  immigrants  from  Ireland 
and  Scotland,  inheriting  a  love  of  freedom  that  had  come 
to  them  through  a  long  line  of  ancestors  who  had  suffered 
much,  for  their  love  of  freedom  to  worship  God  according 
to  the  distates  of  their  consciences,  they  were  exceedingly 
fortunate  in  having  Mr.  Alexander  Craighead,  providen- 
tially sent  to  instruct  them'  how  to  resist  all  kingly  oppres- 
sion, both  in  ecclesiastical  and  civil  affairs.  Notwithstand- 
ing he  ceased  from  his  labors  nine  years  before  the  great 
convention  of  May  20,  1775,  the  doctrines  he  advocated 
with  so  much  earnestness  from  the  pulpit,  and  in  'his  pas- 
toral visits,  found  lodgment  in  good  and  honest  hearts 
of  all  the  people  who  sat  at  his  feet  and  learned  of 
him.  Through  the  instruction  given  by  this  great  man, 
though  rejected  by  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  and  urged 
to  leave  these  States,  was  gladly  accepted  by  the  people  here, 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  5 

whereby  the  county  of  Mecklenburg  became  the  cradle  oi 
liberty  for  the  Western  world.  The  seven  churches  he  was 
instrumental  in  forming,  contributed  most  of  the  men  who 
signed  the  immortal  Declaration  'of  Independence. 

It  is  now  the  part  of  patriotism  for  the  descendants  of 
those  w'ho  endorsed  the  work  of  that  ever  memorable  20th 
of  May,  as  well  as  the  descendants  of  the  committee  who 
signed  the  famous  resolutions  then  adopted,  to  hold  them 
up  as  patriots  in  deed,  who-  took  a  decided  stand  for  lib- 
erty more  than  a  year  before  the  colonies  declared  them- 
selves free  and  independent  of  Great  Britain. 

This  act  is  enough  for  any  people  to  be  proud  of,  and  had 
it  occurred  in  ancient  times,  the  participants  would  have 
been  knighted,  if  not  deified.  And  it  is  with  sincere  regret 
that  any  citizen  of  Mecklenburg  county  sibould  deny  the 
truth  of  so  well  established  a  fact,  by  records  of  court,  the 
statements  of  several  oi  the  signers  themselves,  and  by  men 
who  were  not  participants  but  were  present ;  two  of  wliom 
were  Maj.  Gen.  Joseph  Graham  and  Rev.  Dr.  Humphrey 
Hunt'^r,  both  of  whom  were  present,  but  not  signers,  both 
being  under  age,  but  both  in  the  patriot  army. 

The  love  of  counti*>',  which  has  always  been  a  crowning 
virtue  in  the  people  of  Mecklenburg,  could  be  seen  in  the 
Revolutionary  period,  and  in  the  war  O'f  181 2-14,  when 
England  claimed  the  "right  of  search;"  in  the  war  with 
Mexico,  and  last  but  by  no  means  least,  the  war  between  the 
States,  w'hen  our  county  sent  to  the  front  more  than  2,700 
men.  S'he  is  always  first  in  a  good  cause,  and  last  to  let  go. 
For  the  last  forty  years  she  has  devoted  ber  w'hole  attention 
to  building  up  her  shattered  fortunes,  and  educating  her 
children.  For  seven  years  after  the  close  of  the  war  be- 
tween the  States,  not  a  public  school  was  taught  in  the 
county ;  our  people  needed  schools,  but  we  lived  for  a  while 
under  the  iron  heel  of  despotism.  But,  now  we  hear  of  ed- 
ucation on  every  side,  and  civilization  is  progressing  with 
steam  and  electricity,  so  it  is  hard  to  keep  up  with  the  pro- 
cession.    Our  old  civilization  is  fast  disappearing,  giving 


6  HISTORY  O? 

way  for  the  new.  War  is  no  longer  a  coveted  art  in  the 
South,  but  its  opposite  is  in  the  lead,  and  peace  will  soon 
have  her  victories  that  will  far  exceed  those  that  formerly 
belonged  to  the  red  flag  of  war. 

The  middle  of  the  last  century  brought  in  many  changes 
in  the  workings  of  our  civilization;  ooir  people  till  then 
nearly  all  lived  on  their  farms,  raised  their  own  supplies, 
save  their  sugar,  coffee,  salt,  molasses,  etc.  All  of  our  or- 
dinary clothing  was  spun  and  woven  at  home.  Every  com- 
munity had  its  own  tanyard,  and  every  farmer  (of  conse- 
quence) had  their  own  shoemaker.  In  fact  we  were  able  to 
live  within  ourselves.  The  women  knit  all  our  hose;  if 
flannel  shirts  were  needed,  they  were  made  of  home-made 
flannel.  A  great  deal  of  attention  was  paid  to  the  raising 
of  sheep ;  fine  wool  was  in  demand  for  making  fine  flannel, 
and  for  making  wool  hats.  Much  attention  was'  given  to 
procure  the  best  breed  of  hogs,  cows,  horses ;  even  attention 
was  given  to  the  best  strain  of  poultry,  chickens,  turkeys, 
geese  and  ducks.  We  did  not  have  such  a  variety  to  select 
from,  but  the  poultry  and  hogs  did  not  have  cholera;  and  I 
never  heard  of  cows  being  affected  with  pihthisis,  or  con- 
sumption. The  last  twenty-five  years  have  added  to  the  ills 
of  humanity,  as  much  as  to  the  sufferings  of  the  domestic 
animals. 

The  affection  known  as  "appendicitis,"  was  unknown 
twenty-five  years  ago,  even  in  the  medical  books,  but  has  be- 
come quite  common  not  only  in  Mecklenburg,  but  through- 
out the  country.  This  is  probably  offset  by  smallpox  be- 
coming mild,  and  is  dreaded  not  so  much  as  measles ;  hence 
it  is  but  little  talked  about,  although  it  has  scarcely  been  ab- 
sent from  Charlotte  in  the  past  six  months. 

It  is  well  for  the  children  to  know  the  history  of  Mecklen- 
burg, for  no  other  territory  of  the  same  size  in  the  United 
States  has  such  a  glorious  record  to  hold  before  her  people. 
Charlotte  was  properly  named  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  "A  Veri- 
table Hornets'  Nest,"  and  she  will  ever  be  jealous  of  her 
rights,  in  whatever  way  or  form  she  may  be  attacked.     Let 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  7 

her  children  learn  her  history,  and  it  will  be  safe  from  those 
who  would  traduce  her  fame.  There  is  no'  safer  custodian 
to  preserve  her  priceless  treasure  than  the  descendants  of 
those  heroes  who  won  for  us  the  Constitutional  Liberty 
we  enjoy  to-day. 

J.  B.  A. 
Charlotte^  N.  C,  August^  ipo2. 


THE  HISTORY  OF 

MECKLENBURG  COUNTY. 


Early  Settlement. 

With  what  complacency  we  ccmld  look  back  upon  the 
■early  years  of  our  county,  if  a  memorandum  had  been  kept 
of  the  first  inhabitants,  what  they  did,  how  they  educated 
their  children,  hoiw  far  apart  the  neig-hbors  lived,  their  first 
temples  of  worship,  how  services  were  conducted,  did  the 
aborigines  join  in  the  praise  to  God,  the  giver  of  life  and 
every  blessing,  or  did  they  sullenly  look  on  as  if  they  were 
infringing  upon  their  inalienable  rights,  as  if  they  were 
taking  unwarranted  liberties  that  no  one  had  ever  dared  to 
do  before.  The  settlement  of  the  State  began  near  the  coast 
and  gradually  extended  west.  The  eastern  section  of  the 
State  was  populated  a  century  before  Mecklenburg  was 
named,  or  steps  were  taken  to  lay  ofif  meets  and  bounds  to 
form  a  county.  In  that  early  period  there  was  no  occasion 
for  hurry,  and  everything  moved  slowly. 

But  few  people  moved  to  this  section  of  the  State  prior 
to  1740,  that  is  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivers. 
The  boundary  of  Mecklenburg  was  marked  off  in  1762 — 
that  is,  the  eastern,  southern  and  western  borders ;  the  north- 
-ern  or  northwestern  was  not  marked  ofif,  but  was  left  open 
to  see  where  it  would  be  settled  up,  so  as  to  draw  the  boun- 
dary line.  In  the  next  twenty  years  there  was  a  great  im- 
migration to  this  settlement  from  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  a  few  from  Ireland  and  Germany.  And  in  1762 
Avhen  the  boundary  lines  were  run,  quite  a  population  occu- 
pied the  territory  that  was  called  Mecklenburg  county,  and 
its  county  seat  was  called  Charlotte  in  honor  of  the  reigning 
family. 

Not  until  1742  did  the  tide  of  immigration  turn  toward 
this  part  of  North  Carolina,  and  even  at  this  period  it  was 
light  to  what  it  was  twenty  years  later.     In  1750-56,  many 


lO  HISTORY  OF 

people  of  more  than  ordinary  standing,  thoug-ht  to  improve 
their  condition  in  many  ways  by  seeking  homes  in  the  Pied- 
mont region  that  is  now  traversed  by  the  great  Southern 
Railway,  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba.  In  this  early 
period,  about  1740,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Thomas  Spratt, 
said  to  be  the  first  who  ever  crossed  the  Yadkin  with  wheels, 
settled  near  where  Pine^-ille  is  now  located;  and  his 
daughter,  who  married  William  Polk,  the  first  white  child 
born  in  what  was  afterwards  called  Mecklenburg,  between 
the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivers. 

This  must  have  been  a  lovely  picture,  when  the  whole 
country  was  covered  with  tall  grass,  the  wild  pea  vines  and 
the  flora  that  was  indiginous  to  the  soil,  disturbed  only  by 
the  wild  Indian  and  the  great  herds  of  buiffalo  and  deer,  and 
such  wild  animals  and  fowls  as  found  a  congenial  home  in 
90  temperate  a  climate.  At  this  period  every  branch,  creek 
and  river  was  aHve  with  fish  ;  and  as  they  sported  in  the  clear 
waters  in  the  balmy  springtime,  they  seemed  to  join  in  with 
all  nature  to  invite  immigrants  into  this  lovely  country. 

In  1740,  this  part  of  the  State  was  wholly  unorganized, 
with  only  here  and  there  an  immigrant  or  settler.  A  school 
house  or  a  'house  of  worship  was  then  not  dreamed  of.  In 
1752,  Rev.  John  Thompson,  a  preacher  of  the  Presbyterian 
faith,  held  service  under  a  wide-spreading  oak  near  the 
house  of  Richard  Barry,  fourteen  miles  northwest  of  where 
Charlotte  was  ten  years  later  laid  off,  and  established  as  the 
county  seat  of  Mecklenburg.  This  was  on  the  Beattiesford 
road  in  the  direction  of  the  mountains. 

About  this  time  several  young  men  came  into  this  neigh- 
borhood and  located.  The  most  prominent  of  whom  was 
Samuel  Wilson,  from  England.  He  was  highly  educated, 
a  man  of  considerable  wealth ;  in  fact  'he  belonged  to  the 
upper  class  in  England,  and  was  visited  by  his  kinsman,  Sir 
Robert  Wilson,  of  aristocratic  lineage;  but  in  those  days  it 
took  so  long  to  cross  the  ocean,  the  visit  was  never  repeated. 

Samuel  Wilson's  first  wife  was  Mary  Winslow,  a 
daughter  of  Moses  and  Jean  Osborne  Winslow.    His  second 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  II 

wife  was  the  widow  Howard  (we  could  not  find  out  her 
maiden  name).  His  third  wife  was  Margaret  Jack,  a  sister 
of  James  Jack.  His  first  and  third  wives  were  of  the  best 
families  in  America,  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  his  second 
— from  her  posterity — was  equal  to  his  first  and  last.  Maj. 
John  Davidson  married  Violet,  a  daughter  of  the  first  wife. 
John  and  Mai-\'  Davidson,  children  of  Robert  Davidson  and 
Isabella  Ramsay  Davidson,  of  Pennsylvania,  after  their 
father's  death,  moved  into  North  Carolina  on  the  Yadkin 
near  w'here  the  town  of  Salisbury  now  stands.  Here  the 
widow  Davidson  married  Mr.  Henry  Henry,  a  graduate  of 
Princeton,  who  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  that  section. 
Here  John  and  Mary  were  educated,  and  John  learned  the 
blacksmith  trade,  and  when  he  reached  his  majority  he  and 
his  sister  Mary  moved  from  Rowan  to  Mecklenburg  in  1760, 
just  in  time  to  secure  an  elegant  home  om  the  Catawba  river, 
four  miles  west  of  where  Hopewell  church  was  built  two 
years  later.  From  this  aliiance  of  John  Davidson  and  Vio- 
let Wilson  sprang,  a  posterity  of  as  good  people,  and  proba- 
bly as  numerous  as  can  be  found  in  the  State.  They  were 
very  intelligent,  believers  in  education,  were  very  industrious 
and  were  noted  for  accumulating  property.  They  exer- 
cised quite  a  beneficent  influence  in  their  section  of  the 
county,  and  were  friends  to  internal  improvement. 


Ea.rly  Recollections  of  ChoLrlotte. 

My  earliest  recollections  of  Charlotte  and  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  will  scarcely  go  back  to  the  fortieth  mile-post 
of  the  Nineteenth  century.  I  was  born  ten  miles  north  of 
the  town,  one  mile  from  where  Alexandriana  Postofihce  was 
kept  for  one  hundred  years.  But  alas,  alas,  the  time  came 
when  the  people  could  no  longer  spell  Alexandriana,  and 
the  old  revolutionary  postofihce  had  its  name  changed  to 
Croft.  It  has  but  one  redeeming  trait — it  is  short  and  easy 
to  spell  and  that  is  considered  of  vast  importance  in  this 
money-loving  age.  But  it  is  lacking  in  euphoney,  and  more 
than  that,  the  first  original  name  of  the  postoffice  had  many 
interesting  reminiscences  clustering  around  its  antiquity  that 
were  interesting  to  those  who  cared  to  preserve  historic 
facts.  But  we  live  in  an  age  that  cares  for  none  of  these 
things.  Tt  is  only  here  and  there  that  we  meet  with  those 
who  love  to  look  towards  the  setting  sun  and  gather  up  his 
effulgent  rays  as  he  goes  down  and  bids  good  night  to  the 
gorgeous  day  of  a  well-spent  life,  where  these  glories  will 
forever  bloom  and  be  appreciated  by  those  spirits  who  dared 
to  be  free.  I  am  aware  that  many  persons  have  but  little 
respect  for  what  they  are  pleased  to  call  a  rehas'h  of  olden 
times,  that  are  now  considered  antiquated  fables.  But  in 
speaking  of  my  earliest  recollections  of  Charlotte  and  the 
people  who  lived  in  the  town,  I  know  yoii  will  excuse  me 
if  I  also  bring  forward  the  names  of  some  who  lived  in  the 
county.  In  fact,  Avhen  I  first  remember  the  town,  it  was  a 
small  affair,  although  it  had  been  in  existence  eighty  years. 
At  this  time  I  presume  it  numbered  not  more  than  1,500  in- 
habitants, counting  slaves  and  all.  For  the  first  fifty  years 
of  Charlotte's  existence,  not  a  denominational  church  was 
established  in  the  town,  but  all  denominations  used  one 
church  in  common. 

The  Hon.  William  Davidson  o-ave  the  lot  for  a  cemeterv 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I3 

and  I  presume  he  gave  the  lot  where  now  stands  the  First 
Presbyterian  church ;  at  any  rate  a  house  for  any  person  to 
worship,  without  regard  to  what  denomination  should  con- 
duct worship.  What  year  this  was  begun,  I  cannot  say ;  but 
it  was  prior  to  i8t8.  The  lot  and  church  did  not  pass  into 
the  hands  of  the  Presbyterians  until  the  summer  of  1832. 

While  the  congregation  enjoyed  the  stated  preaching  of 
Mr.  jNlorrison  once  in  three  weeks,  an  interesting  revival  oc-^ 
curred  among  the  people  in  which  'he  was  assisted  by  Messrs. 
Furman  and  Barns,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Levenworth.  On  the  fourth  Sabbath  O'f  August,  1833, 
thirty-six  persons  connected  themselves  with  the  church, 
which  was  at  that  time  organized,  and  David  Parks  and 
Nathan  B.  Carroll  were  appointed  elders.  Rev.  Mr.  Leven- 
worth was  engaged  in  teaching  a  female  school  of  a  high 
order.  The  academy — a  large  brick  structure — occupied 
the  lot  now  owned  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Carson.  He  was  employed 
as  stated  supply,  or  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  At 
this  time  no  other  denomination  had  a  foothold  in  the  town. 
About  1840  a  Baptist  church  was  built  on  Fourth  street 
(which  in  a  few  years  was  sold  to  Alexander  Springs  and 
moved  to  Third  street,  nearly  op'po'site  the  new  court  house), 
and  a  new  brick  church  built  on  the  corner  of  Brevard  and 
Seventh  streets.  The  prominent  members  when  first  started 
were  Rev.  Joe  Pritchard,  father  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Pritchard 
(and  I  will  mention  the  fact  that  he  was  a  great  believer  in 
Millerism;  he  afterwards  moved  west).  Rev.  Dr.  Pritch- 
ard, who  recently  died,  served  the  church  very  acceptably 
for  several  years  and  was  much  esteemed  by  all  classes. 

Dr.  Steven  Folx  and  his  family.  Dr.  Torrence,  Wm.  Cook, 
Mr.  Boon  (who  kept  a  shoe  store),  Benjamin  Smith,  and 
Leonard  Smith,  with  their  families,  were  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church  about  1855,  and  later  Rev. 

Jones  organized  the  Baptist  church  at  this  point.  During 
the  days  of  reconstruction,  j86^-'yi,  great  uneasiness  was 
felt  for  fear  the  negroes  should  be  influenced  by  the  Yankees 
to  appropriate  the  church  and  all  its  property  for  their  use. 


14  HISTORY  OF 

That  was  a  time  in  which  might  made  right  in  ecclesiastical 
affairs  as  well  as  State  rule.  But  they'  fortunately  were  in- 
duced to  build  in  another  quarter  of  the  town.  The)'  (the 
white  people)  had  about  seven  white  heads  of  families  and 
several  hundred  negroes — tog-ether  the  whites  were  in  a 
hopeless  minority.  However,  the  denomination  has  pros- 
pered as  a  Christian  people  should. 

The  Methodist  church  here  appears  to  have  started  about 
1845.  Dr.  David  R.  Dunlap,  a  highly  educated  gentleman 
of  the  old  school,  had  been  raised  and  trained  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  married  a  Miss  Jennings,  and  after  her 
death  he  was  so  well  pleased  with  her  family,  that  he  mar- 
ried a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  which  was  against  their  rules 
of  church  government,  and  consequently  he  was  turned  out 
of  the  church.  He  therefore  cast  about  in  his  mind  wliere 
he  should  go;  he  did  not  wish  to  join  the  Baptists,  and  he 
could  not  ask  the  Presbyterians  for  reinstatement,  conse- 
quently he  believed  the  time  had  come  for  the  establishment 
here  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Dr.  Dunlap  and  Mr.  Lead- 
well  were  probably  the  first  members,  and  in  a  short  time 
more  were  added  to  their  numbers ;  and  they  built  a  church 
on  the  corner  of  College  and  Seventh  streets,  and  have  con- 
tinued to  flourish  as  an  evangelical  church  should  do. 
Although  they  had  much  to  contend  with,  they  have  been 
abundantly  blessed. 

The  Episcopal  church  commenced  laying  the  foimdation 
for  a  local  habitation  three  quarters  of  a  century^  ago.  They 
occasionally  had  preaching  in  the  common  house  of  Avorship, 
which  was  for  all  and  every  one  who  chose  to  worship,  until 
1832 ;  after  this  they  were  without  a  place  till  a  lot  and  small 
house  on  West  Trade  street  was  secured  about  1845. 

'J'he  A.  R.  Presbyterians  and  Lutherans  were  last  getting 
a  start,  but  in  later  years  have  made  a  growth  that  has  been 
by  no  means  disheartening.  The  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
as  an  organization  at  least,  is  second  only  to  the  Presbyte- 
rians in  having  an  early  start.  In  the  latter  part  of  the 
Eighteenth  and  first  part  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  no  great 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  1 5 

progress  was  made  in  the  relig-ioiis  life.  On  a  pag-e  close 
to  the  beginning  of  the  Twentieth  century,  I  will  have  more 
to  say  with  regard  to  the  religion  of  the  towii. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Charlotte  has  never  been  afflicted  with  a  dearth  of  physi- 
cians, as  far  back  as  we  can  trace  a  doctor's  practice.  In 
1815  Dr.  McKenzie  was  the  leading  physician  for  a  number 
of  years ;  and  from  the  reputation  that  he  sustained,  it  is 
inferred  that  he  was  well  qualified  for  the  responsible  posi- 
tion he  occupied.  In  1822,  Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine.  He  formed  a  partnership  with 
Dr.  McKenzie.  One  of  the  partners  would  go  and  see  the 
patients  on  the  south  of  town,  and  the  other  would  go  and 
see  those  on  the  north  side.  They  would  see  all  the  patients 
every  other  day.  This  was  the  era  of  bleeding.  Dr.  Cald- 
well said  that  if  he  met  a  fresh  case  and  failed  to  bleed  from 
any  cause,  he  felt  sure  McKenzie  would  bleed  him  to-mor- 
row. If  any  case  was  doubtful,  they  would  compromise  by 
leeching.  Forty  years  ago  it  was  a  common  sight  to  see 
two  or  more  jars  two-thirds  full  of  water  with  a  quantity 
of  leeches  floating  about  ready  for  use,  in  the  drug  store. 

Dr.  Dunlap  came  later  to  Charlotte,  and  built  up  a  lucra- 
tive practice,  which  he  held  for  many  years.  He  told  me 
he  was  once  sent  for  to  see  a  man  w'ho  had  been  tapped  for 
dropsy,  and  his  doctor  got  tired  going  so  often  to  tap  him, 
and  had  roughened  a  goose  quill  by  scraping  it  both  ways 
and  then  inserted  it  so  the  fluid  would  nui  out  as  fast  as  it 
would  collect.  Of  course  it  lighted  up  an  inflammation  that 
soon  carried  him  off. 

Dr.  Tom  Harris  came  about  1840.  or  probably  earlier. 
He  was  a  large,  fleshy  man,  immensely  popular,  did  a  large 
practice.  He  died  early,  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness. 
He  and  Drs.  D.  T.  and  P.  C.  Caldwell  had  formed  a  partner- 
ship that  was  not  only  pleasant,  but  profitable.  They  had 
several  young  men  prepare  for  the  medical  college,  and  I 


l6  HISTORY  OF 

never  knew  one  to  fail  that  had  this  trio  for  preceptors.  Dr. 
C.  T.  Fox,  Dr.  Robert  Gibbon.  Dr.  Macilwaiine,  were  all 
just  budding  into  practice  as  the  century  was  half  over. 
Drs.  Gibbon  and  Fox  were  active  members  of  the  profes- 
sion, and  lived  long  to  enjoy  the  honors  of  their  patrons  and 
reap  the  benefits  of  a  well-spent  life.  Dr.  Macilwaine  did  not 
remain  long  in  Charlotte — went  to  Florida. 

Dr.  J.  M.  Davidson  spent  a  long  life  here,  but  only  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  medicine  more  as  a  past-time  than 
as  a  life  pursuit.  Gibbon  and  Fox  were  the  only  ones  w'ho 
pretended  to  surgery%  or  were  equipped  for  whatever  came 
along.  It  was  my  fortune  to  be  with  Dr.  Gibbon  during 
the  war  between  the  States — in  the  same  brigade  with  him' — 
and  I  can  say  without  hesitation,  he  was  the  finest  operator 
in  surgery  that  I  have  ever  met  with.  He  was  ambidex- 
trous, never  thought  of  turning  the  patient  around,  but 
would  simply  take  the  knife  in  the  other  hand. 

Dr.  E.  H.  Andrews,  a  dentist,  came  to  Charlotte  about 
1846,  from  Virginia — educated  in  Baltimore.  He  was  a 
man  of  pleasant  manners,  and  well  qualified  for  dental  work. 
He  kept  his  home  ofifice  here,  but  traveled  over  several 
counties.  He  was  quite  a  mineraligist,  had  a  collection 
worth  several  thousand  dollars.  He  was  fond  of  talking 
mineralogy,  and  spent  much  time  conversing  with  his  friends. 
In  his  time  there  was  not  much  dental  work  to  do.  The 
civilization  of  the  present  era  will  have  much  to  be  thankful 
for,  for  tlie  work  furnished  the  dentists  of  the  Twentieth 
century. 

About  this  time  (say  in  1845)  the  business  part  of  town 
was  small  indeed.  The  grocery  business  was  undeveloped, 
or  rather  we  should  say  was  unthought  of.  Salt,  whiskey, 
molasses,  sugar,  and  cheese  was  about  all  the  groceries  that 
were  usually  kept  in  an  inland  town.  These  were  kept  in  a 
dry  goods  house.  Nearly  everything  that  a  farmer  wanted 
could  be  found  in  an  ordinary  store.  Irwin  &  Elms  kept 
where  Woodall  &  Sheppard  now  have  a  drug  store;  Leroy 
Springs  in  the  east  corner,  where  R.  H.  Jordan's  drug  store 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  1/ 

is  now ;  H.  B.  &  L.  S.  Williams,  Richard  Carson,  one  door 
south ;  Mr,  Allison,  where  Burweil  &  Dunn  now  have  a  drug" 
store ;  David  Parks,  where  Gray-Reese  Drug  Co.'s  store  is 
now.  I  think  these  aibout  all  the  mercantile  houses  in  the 
town.  At  this  time  probably  every  store  was  hung 
overhead  with  bales  or  bunches  of  yam  for  the  chain  or 
warp  of  a  web;  nearly  ever}^  farmer's  wife  had  a  loom  to 
weave  cloth  for  all  on  the  farm.  In  the  early  part  of  the 
century  nearly  ever  article  of  clothing  was  spun  and  woven 
at  home ;  and  during  the  Confederate  war  oiir  soldiers  were 
largely  clothed  with  the  "fruit  of  looms,"  made  by  the  good 
women  of  the  South.  The  old  fashioned  loaf  sugar  wrapped 
with  twine  around  blue  paper,  was  hung  overhead.  This 
sugar  was  known  as  loaf  sugar,  and  used  on  Sunday  morning 
to  sweeten  "bought"  tea,  and  probably  a  little  of  it  was  used 
to  sweeten  morning  dram  of  brandy  or  rum.  Before  the  mid- 
dle of  the  century  almost  every  gentleman  kept  his  decanters 
filled  up  and  every  person  (of  respectability)  was  invited 
to  take  a  social  glass.  But  those  days  of  close  friendship 
by  neighborhoods  'have  passed,  and  the  yoimg  people  know 
but  little  of  the  customs  that  ceased  fifty  years  ago.  Dry 
goods  stores  all  kept  iron — that  is  bars  of  iron,  slabs  of  iron 
for  making  bull-tongues ;  large  slabs,  eight  to  twelve  inches 
wide  by  one  inch  thick,  for  big,  heavy  plows,  one  or  two- 
horse  plows.  These  were  for  breaking  the  ground  and  pre- 
paring it  for  crops.  At  this  time  the  blacksmith  was  looked 
rpon  as  an  artist.  There  was  no  such  thing  as  a  hard- 
ware store.  The  smith  had  to  forge  out  of  the  raw  material 
every  tool  that  was  used  in  cultivating  the  farm ;  shoes  and 
nails  to  protect  the  horse's  feet;  and  every  binge  for  the 
doors  and  window  shutters,  and  every  nail  to  build  the 
house,  and  to  put  on  the  roof  with.  It  was  a  tedious  job  to 
make  nails  for  a  large  roof  and  all  the  fastenings.  All  large 
farmers  had  a  screw  plate  for  cutting  screws  for  their  plows 
and  wagons.  The  civilization  is  very  different  now  from 
what  is  was  in  the  early  years  of  the  century.  Cooking 
pots  and  ovens  and  lids,  a  big  fireplace  and  sometimes  a 


1 8  HISTORY  OF 

Dutch  oven,  were  the  only  cooking  vessels  then  in  use  in 
either  town  or  country.  Often  the  cooking  utensils  were  so 
scarce  that  the  same  skillet  would  have  to  do  double  duty,  as 
heating  coffee  water,  then  bake  the  bread,  and  last,  fry  the 
ham.  But  the  people  never  thoug'ht  it  a  hardship,  for  they 
never  heard  of  any  other  way  and  were  happy  to  continue 
in  the  way  their  parents  trod  many  years  before.  It  is  only 
the  restlessness  and  dissatisfaction  with  their  condition  that 
make  improvements. 

As  the  Avomen  of  our  country  constitute  the  best  part  of 
our  population,  I  will  mention  names  and  facts  of  those  who 
exercised  an  untold  influence  on  the  fashions  and  learning  of 
both  town  and  county,  in  the  first  half  of  the  Nineteenth 
century.  There  may  have  been  an  earlier  caterer  to  ladies' 
fas'hions  than  Mrs.  Porter,  but  if  so  no  record  has  been  pre- 
served. She  had  her  millinery  shop  on  the  west  side  of 
North  Tryon  street,  near  the  Hunt  building.  She  had  a 
great  many  'hot  house  plants  in  boxes,  a  lemon,  an  orange 
tree — in  fact  the  house  was  filled  with  rare  plants,  besides 
a  feathered  songster  that  appeared  to  be  the  pet  of  the  shop. 
I  was  8  or  ID  years  old,  and  probably  rode  behind  my  aunt 
for  company,  hardly  for  protection,  to  town  to  get  the  latest 
and'  prettiest  fashions  for  ladies  wear,  and  probably  to  have 
some  work  done.  Ladies  in  town  and  country  were  in  the 
habit  of  doing  their  own  sewing,  except  'on  rare  occasions, 
when  they  would  call  on  an  expert.  Weddings  were  as 
popular  in  the  first  half  of  the  century  as  in  the  closing  years. 
It  was  a  rare  occurrence  to  marry  in  a  church,  or  to  go  on  a 
bridal  trip  after  marriage.  Horseback  riding  was  the  only 
way  of  traveling  sixty  years  ago,  and  but  few  ladies  would 
prefer  a  trip  of  this  kind  to  rounds  of  pleasure,  as  were  fre- 
quently given  in  many  houses  in  a  neig'hborhood,  lasting  a 
week. 

Fema'le  education  was  not  encouraged  with  much  spirit 
during  the  first  seventy-five  years  of  Charlotte's  existence. 
In  this  early  period,  when  children  of  school  age  were  not 
so  plentiful  as  in  later  years,  they  always  had  mixed  schools. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  IQ 

People  who  were  in  affluent  circumstances,  and  could  afford 
to  give  their  daughters  a  higher  education  tTian  could  be 
obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  the  country,  had  a  fine 
opportunity  to  patronize  the  Moravian  school  in  Salem. 
This  institution  was  much  sought  after  and  patronized  from 
the  Potomac  to  the  Rio  Grand,  in  the  first  half  of  the  cen- 
tury. But  here  for  the  same  reason  that  male  schools  did 
not  flourish,  we  might  say  that  female  schools  lagged  behind. 
Mrs.  S.  D.  Nye  Hutchison,  a  Northern  lady  who  had  earned 
quite  a  reputation  as  a  teacher  in  Raleigh  artd  other  places, 
was  induced  to  teach  here,  with  Miss  Sarah  Davidson  as 
music  teacher.  A  suitable  house  was  erected  on  the  square 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Carson^,  and  the  school  com- 
menced in  1836.  For  some  three  years  the  school  was  well 
attended,  and  was  regarded  as  very  prosperous.  After 
Mrs.  Hutchison  ceased  to  teach,  Miss  Sarali  Davidson  con- 
tinued to  teach  music  for  many  years.  In  May,  1846,  the 
Rev.  Cyrus  Johnston  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  and  also  took  charge  of  the  female  school, 
with  Miss  Sarah  Davidson.  This  school  was  nm  with  more 
or  less  regularity  till  Mr.  Joihnstoo  was  removed  by  death. 

Male  schools  in  the  town  were  not  first-class.  Occasion- 
ally an  excellent  teacher  was  employed  for  a  term  or  two, 
but  not  for  a  permanent  school.  A  teacher  by  the  name  of 
Murphy,  in  the  early  forties,  gave  general  satisfaction  for 
a  term  or  two;  then  a  man  by  the  name  of  Denny  for  a 
short  time  gave  general  satisfaction,  but  thinking  that  a  bet- 
ter paying  school  could  be  had  oiit  in  the  county,  he  en- 
gaged a  school  in  Steel  Creek,  but  being  under  the  influence 
of  an  evil  star,  he  unmercifully  whipped  a  small  boy,  for 
which  his  father  fell  afoul  of  him  with  a  wagon  whip  and 
lifted  him  every  step  for  fifty  yards,  when'  the  father  gave 
out;  but  our  quandam  teacher  did  not  stop  this  side  of  Guil- 
ford. 

Also  the  services  of  Mr.  Alison  were  secured  for  a  short 
time,  and  several  others  whose  names  I  cannot  now  recall. 
To  perpetuate  the  history  of  a  town,  county  or  State,  it  is 


20  HISTORY  OF 

necessary  that  a  chair  of  history,  or  some  fundamental  law 
of  the  land  be  enacted  to  take  note  of  the  passing  events  in 
each  county  of  the  State,  so  that  important  steps  or  epochs 
be  not  loiSt,  and  the  people  be  posted  as  to  what  is  good, 
and  warned  against  what  is  bad. 

Gen.  D.  H.  Hill,  Gen.  Jas.  H.  Lane,  and  Col.  C.  C.  Lee 
taught  a  first-class  military  school  here  just  before  the  Con- 
federate war,  in  which  not  only  the  teachers,  but  their  pupils 
took  a  very'  active  part.  Col.  Thomas  was  principal  of  the 
military  academy  after  the  war,  when  the  reconstruction 
times  were  over.  Before  we  have  finished  this  episode,  in 
a  more  appropriate  place,  we  will  recur  again  to  this  most 
remarkable  time  that  has  never  had  its  parallel  since  civili- 
zation dawned  upon  the  Anglo-Saxon  race. 

In  the  earlier  years  of  the  country — say  from  1780  to 
1840 — there  was  a  fine  school  run  at  all  the  seven  churches 
through  the  county,  and  consequently  when  these  congrega- 
tional schools  were  kept  in  full  blast,  but  little  opportunity 
was  left  for  a  school  in  the  village.  From  the  location  of 
these  seven  churches  it  is  evident  that  Mecklenburg  was  bet- 
ter off  in  the  way  of  schools  than  probably  any  other  county 
in  the  State. 

In  this  day  of  the  most  advanced  civilization  the  world 
ever  saw,  if  our  people  would  only  reflect  that  their  ancestors 
one  hundred  years  ago  eat  out  of  pewter  dishes,  drank  their 
dittany  or  sassafras  tea  out  of  the  plainest  delft,  used  an 
iron  or  pewter  spoon,  the  most  ordinary  knives  and  tvvo- 
prong  forks  made  of  iron  with  buck-horn  handles.  A  fam- 
ily was  fortunate  to  have  any  kind  of  table  cutlery.  Most 
people  used  their  fingers.  Up  to  1845  steel  knives  and  two 
prong  forks  were  used  by  the  most  fashionable  and  wealthy 
people  in  our  midst.  All  the  silverware  used  prior  to  1850 
was  made  at  the  homes  of  wealthy  people.  Silversmiths 
traveled  about  and  got  jobs  wherever  they  could  find  work, 
carrying  their  tools  with  them.  The  inhabitants  of  Char- 
lotte town  were  like  their  country  cousins,  only  dependent 
on  them  for  what  they  had  to  buv.     But  in  the  olden  times 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  21 

every  good  citizen  expected  to  cultivate  a  farm,  raise  his 
own  cows,  hog-s  and  chickens.  Up  to  the  middle  of  the  last 
century,  Charlotte  furnished  a  very  limited  market  for  coun- 
try produce.  Until  the  advent  of  the  railroad,  which  first 
entered  the  town  in  1852,  but  little  was  brought  here  for 
sale.  Ever  since  then  it  has  grown  to  be  a  market  for  every 
thing  that  is  raised,  for  home  consumption  or  shipped  to 
larger  markets.  During  the  first  half  of  the  Nineteenth 
Century  cooking  utensils  were  as  scarce  and  as  difficult  to 
get  as  convenient  tableware.  When  brass  kettles  were  first 
used  only  the  wealthy,  or  those  in  easy  circumstances  could 
afford  to  use  them,  but  had  to  be  careful  not  to  leave  any- 
thing acid  in  them,  but  were  useful  in  many  things  around 
the  fireplace  where  cooking  was  being  done.  The  Johnnie 
Cake  was  extremely  fashionable  by  the  well-to-do,  but  it 
has  almost  disappeared  as  cooking  utensils  have  multi- 
plied. It  was  made  of  corn  meal,  salt,  lard,  and  made  up 
with  hot  water  or  milk,  and  baked  on  a  board  set  before  the 
fire  leaning  against  a  sad  iron,  rock  or  brick.  As  soon 
as  well  browned,  it  was  buttered  and  served  hot. 

Waffle  irons  were  considered  necessary  before  you  could 
have  a  well  appointed  cook-kitchen.  People  were  as  expert 
at  preparing  an  elegant  dinner,  or  setting  a  beautiful  supper 
table  one  hundred  years  ago  as  now,  although  they  did  not 
have  the  conveniences  that  we  now  think  are  necessities. 

It  is  important  to  mention  the  court  house,  the  place  where 
justice  has  been  meted  out  between  man  and  man  for  such 
a  length  of  time,  and  ])unishment  for  offences  against  the 
peace  and  dignity  of  the  State.  The  first  court  house  ever 
built  in  the  county  was  in  the  public  square  where  Trade 
and  Tryon  streets  cross.  It  was  built  upon  square  posts,  or 
columns,  some  eig'ht  or  ten  feet  high,  then  built  up  with 
hewn  logs  a  convenient  height.  This  house  was  honored 
with  being  the  birthplace  of  the  first  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence that  was  ever  flung  to  the  breeze  in  the  western 
world.     It  afterwards  witnessed  a  hard  fight  and  bloodshed 


22  HISTORY  OF 

between  the  American  and  British  forces  on  the  26th  of 
September,  1780.  By  being  built  upon  posts,  any  one  in 
passing  could  have  a  s'helter  to  protect  them  from  sunshine 
or  rain.  This  house  was  built  about  1767,  and  was  replaced 
by  a  brick  one  in  the  year  1810,  when  it  gave  way  to  an  up- 
to-date  one  on  West  Trade  street,  in  1845.  Here  the  courts 
were  held  for  more  than  fifty  years.  This  house  was  used 
for  public  meetings  of  various  kinds,  such  as  county  political 
conventions,  public  speakings,  railroad  meetings  and  rail- 
road speeches ;  in  fact  for  a  long  time  it  was  as  a  public  hall, 
and  was  free  to  all. 

The  new  court  house  just  finished  as  the  Nineteenth  Cen- 
tury was  about  to  close,  was  btiilt  on  the  ground  where 
formerly  stood  Queen's  Museum,  an  educational  institution 
that  the  patriotic  people  of  Mecklenburg  tried  hard  to  estab- 
lish on  a  firm  basis,  but  England  refused  to  grant  a  charter. 
Although  it  was  in  charge  of  graduates  of  Princeton,  Dr. 
McWhirter  and  Ephraim  Brevard,  M.  D.,  and  other  men 
of  ability,  but  it  had  not  encouragement  from'  home  influence 
But  one  young  man  ever  received  a  diploma  from  the  insti- 
tution, and  in  September,  1780,  when  Lord  Cormvallis 
visited  town.  Queen's  Museum  was  used  as  a  'hospital,  and 
the  yard  as  a  burying  ground  for  their  soldiers  that  were 
killed  in  battle,  and  were  picked  off  by  the  ever  vigilant 
patriots.  In  digging  the  foundation  for  the  present  court 
house,  several  skeletons  were  exhumed  which  called  to  mind 
the  stirring  times  that  occurred  one  hundred  and  twenty 
years  ago.  Now  the  grounds  are  graced  by  a  handsome  court 
house,  with  all  the  recent  apartments  for  filing  away  papers, 
court  records  in  fireproof  vaults,  that  will  probably  answer 
all  purposes  for  another  century. 

MONUMENT   TO   SIGNERS. 

Immediately  in  front  of  this  majestic  building  has  been 
erected  a  handsome  monument  commemorating  the  memory 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  23 

of  those  immortal  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inctepend- 
ence  of  May  20,  1775. 

This  monument  ought  to  have  been  erected  one  hundred 
years  ago,  before  those  old  heroes  who  participated  in  the 
great  event  had  all  passed  away. 

In  the  first  fifty  years  of  the  Nineteenth  Century  there  was 
not  a  man  in  the  coimty  who  had  the  bold  effrontery  to  deny 
the  action  of  those  patriotic  men ;  but  now  to  deny  the  dec- 
laration of  May  20,  1775,  is  fashionable  wnth  those  who  do 
not  want  to  know  the  truth. 

The  old  pillory  and  stocks  passed  away  with  State's 
rights,  so  with  the  \yhipping  post.  The  people  who  tri- 
umphed in  the  war  between  the  States — who  believed  that 
"might  made  right."  and  acted  accordingly,  and  so  many 
thousands,  or  I  say  truthfully,  hundreds  of  thousands  were 
guilty  of  stealing,  thinking  that  some  day  they  would  be 
held  amenable  to  the  law,  they  forbade  corporal  punishment, 
such  as  whipping  or  cutting  off  the  ears,  putting  them  in  the 
stocks  lest  they  should  start  a  race  whose  backs  and  ears 
wore  the  brand  of  infamy.  The  penitentiary  has  been  sub- 
stituted for  all  these  forms  of  punishment,  and  has  proved 
much  less  effective  than  the  old  fashioned  way  of  applying 
the  lash  to  the  bare  back,  as  in  ante-bellum  times.  Since  our 
people  have  become  somewhat  Yankeeized,  there  is  consider- 
able opposition  to  capital  punishment  or  hanging;  but  the 
common  people  are  disposed — in  flagrant  cases — to  take  the 
law  into  their  own  'hands  and  mete  out  justice  swiftly.  We 
cannot  say  when  the  old  jail,  at  the  comer  of  Try  on  and 
Sixth  streets,  was  built,  but  it  served  the  purpose  for  many 
years,  with  stocks  and  whipping  post  in  the  yard,  w'here 
every  one  who  wanted  could  see.  The  gallows  was  out  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  city,  at  that  time  an  old  field.  Up  to 
the  war  all  executions  were  public,  believing  the  example 
would  have  a  wholesome  effect  on  the  multitude;  but  it  is 
not  a  settled  question  yet  how  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law 
should  be  carried  out,  so  as  to  be  a  warning  to  others.     The 


24  HISTORY  OF 

old  prison  has  been  converted  into  two  handsome  stores  on 
the  ground  floor,  and  the  second  and  third  stories  for  a  first- 
class  boarding  house.  All  west  of  this  point  fifty  years  ago, 
except  the  First  Church  lot  and  cemetery,  was  old  field  and 
chinquapin  bushes. 


Ma.y  20.  1775. 

Mecklenburg-  county  was  populated  with  a  race  of  people 
not  a  whit  behind  any  others  on  the  American  continent. 
They  were  independent  by  nature,  having  no  one  to  lean 
upon  or  to  appeal  to;  they  were  considering  well  the  ques- 
tion if  they  had  not  paid  taxes  long  enough  to  the  mother 
country,  and  had  received  but  oppression  when  protection 
was  looked  for;  they  got  weary  of  being  taxed  and  never 
represented  in  their  Parliament.  In  1758,  Rev.  Alexander 
Craig-head  was  driven  from  Maryland  for  preaching  against 
kingly  authodty.  He  supposed  that  he  would  find  friends 
ini  Pennsylvania,  but  his  hopes  were  soon  dispelled,  for  he 
was  promptly  told  that  such  doctrine  was  disagreeable,  and 
that  he  must  move  on.  The  tendency  at  that  time  was  to 
move  South,  not  to  get  too  far  away  from  the  coast.  Mr. 
■Craig-head  came  down  into  North  Carolina  and  accepted  a 
•call  from  Rocky  River  and  Sug-ar  Creek  churches.  This 
was  three  years  before  any  church  was  organized  in  all  this 
.section  of  country.  With  the  help  of  Revs.  McWhirter,  Mc- 
Aden  and  other  missionaries,  the  noted  seven  churches 
were  organized  in  1 762  or  thereabouts,  .at  all  of  which  places 
it  is  more  than  probable  that  Mr.  Craig'head  preached.  He 
wa's  a  man  of  great  energy.  Wherever  he  could  get  a  con- 
gregation he  would  preach  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and 
instruct  the  people  that  it  was  their  duty  to  resist  tyranny; 
that  we  should  resist  paying  taxes  without  representation. 
Here  he  found  willing  and  eager  listeners.  In  1762  the 
county  was  surveyed  and  soon  a  county  government  was  or- 
ganized. Among  the  first  things  done  was  to  lay  off  mili- 
tary precincts,  and  enrol  all  the  males  from  18  to  45  tc 
T^ear  arms  as  the  militia  of  the  colony.  These  companies 
were  permitted  to  elect  their  own  officers,  to  serve  as  long  as 
their  physical  condition  permitted. 

The  best  men  in  the  county  were  elected  officers  in  the 


26  HISTORY  OF 

militia.  Another  committee  was  appointed  called  "The 
Committee  of  Safety,"  to  look  after  the 'safety  of  the  coun- 
try. When  the  county  was  well  org-anized,  the  great  leader, 
Mr.  Craig-head,  was  called  home  after  a  life  well  spent  in 
laying-  the  foundatioo  for  American  independence,  1766. 
His  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  first  graveyard  of  Sugar 
Creek  church.  Has  Meckleoburg  ever  had  his  equal  to 
point  out  the  way  to  independence,  to  a  representative  gov- 
ernment, one  that  is  the  friend  of  the  oppressed  and  that 
has  grown  in  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  years  to  be  the 
first  power  in  wealth  and  influence  in  the  world?  Mr, 
Craighead's  influence  can  only  be  measured  by  what  fol- 
lowed. He  laid  the  foundation  of  its  future  greatness. 
After  'his  demise,  the  good  men  that  he  had  trained  in  both 
religion  and  patriotism,  consulted  often,  in  regularly  ap- 
pointed places,  what  would  be  best  for  the  country,  which 
was  fast  ripening  into  freedom,  and  soon  toi  take  her  place 
in  the  great  family  of  free  and  independent  States. 

Mecklenburg  was  more  fortunate  than  other  counties,  in 
that  her  citizens  had  been  taught  that  liberty  and  independ- 
ence were  necessary  to  achieve  the  highest  aims  in  life.  The 
frequent  conferences  were  held  by  the  leaders  of  public  opin  ■ 
ion  where  it  was  convenient.  Three  of  the  noted  places  where 
this  Committee  of  Safety  were  in  the  habit  O'f  meeting  was  at 
the  residences  of  Robert  Irwin,  of  Steel  Creek ;  Abram  Alex- 
ander, of  Sugar  Creek;  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  of 
Hopewell.  Here  at  these  places  was  the  question  of  inde- 
pendence discussed,  and  the  people  were  gotten  ready  for 
action.  The  militia  officers  were  men  of  rank,  elders  in  the 
church,  were  leading  men,  justices  of  the  peace,  ministers  of 
the  Gospel,  etc. 

Everything,  both  public  and  private,  tended  to  Independ- 
ence. In  the  year  1771,  the  people  of  Alamance  were  so 
oppressed  with  high  taxes  that  they  rebelled  against  Gov- 
ernor Tryon.  The  country  was  wild  with  excitement,  and 
the  men  organized  companies  to  defend  themselves  against 
the  royal  troops  from  New  Bern.     In  the  meantime  Meek- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  27 

lenburg  was  not  idle,  but  sent  troops  to  aid  the  patriots  of 
Alamance;  but  the  battle  was  over  and  the  patriots  routed 
before  the  Mecklenburg  contingent  arrived.  Hence  our 
troops  returned,  and  as  evidence  that  they  would  bear  true 
allegiance  to  Great  Britain  in  the  future,  the  governor  had 
them  sworn  to  support  the  crown.  This  oath  was  the  source 
of  much  trouble  to  the  conscience  of  many  good  people, 
when,  a  few  years  later,  they  were  about  taking  steps  to 
dissolve  all  ties  that  bound  us  to  the  mother  country.  They 
were  at  last  persuaded  that  vVhen  England  had  ceased  to 
protect  them,  they  were  under  no  obligations  to  abide  by  the 
oath  formerly  taken ;  that  a  contract  broken  by  one  side 
ceases  to  be  binding  on  the  other.  This  solution  gave  gen- 
eral satisfaction  to  every  true  patriot. 

In  the  summer  of  1771,  the  good  people  of  Lincoln  county 
gave  a  picnic  to  the  people  of  that  county.  The  excitement 
in  Mecklenburg  arising  from  swearing  her  militia  to  bear 
true  allegiance  to  the  crown,  could  not  be  passed  over  in 
silence.  So,  when  the  day  for  the  picnic  came,  a  large  party 
from  Mecklenburg  rode  over  with  flags  flying,  made  of 
white  cloth  with  black  letters,  so  that  they  could  be  seen,  "In- 
dependence." This  was  received  as  an  insult,  whereupon  a 
general  fisticuff  fight  ensued,  which  shows  plainly  that  Mr. 
Craighead  'had  not  labored  among  the  Dutch  of  Lincoln 
county,  to  show  them  the  truth  as  it  appears  frorri  Scrip- 
ture and  comimon  sense. 

This  was  a  time  that  required  the  services  of  the  best  of 
m.en  to  be  on  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  to  be  at  the 
head  of  the  militia,  and  at  every  position  in  the  county.  The 
county  had  great  reason  to  be  proud  of  her  men,  and  loves  to 
point  back  to  her  noble  women  who  sacrificed  every  com^ 
fort  to  aid  her  soldiers  in  gaining  her  independence.  The 
Committee  of  Public  Safety  notified  the  commissioned  of- 
ficers when  they  were  expected  to  meet  in  Charlotte,  to  take 
specific  action  on  the  state  of  the  countr}^  Matters  seemed 
to  grow  more  threatening  with  each  year ;  whatever  part  of 
the  coimtry  was  oppressed,  was  considered  a  thrust  at  Meek- 


28  HISTORY  OF 

lenburg,  for  whatever  was  hurtful  to  one  part  was  felt  by 
all.  In  other  words,  we  felt  the  necessity  of  making  com- 
mon cause  against  a  common  enemy. 

The  Committee  of  Public  Safety  notified  the  commis- 
sioned officers  and  as  many  others  as  could  attend  to  be  in 
Charlotte  on  the  19th  of  May,  1775. 

[Copied  From-  Francois  Xavier  Martin's  History  of  North 
Carolina,  From  the  Barlicst  Period.] 

"Imperfect  as  the  present  publication  is,  it  began  to  en- 
gage the  attention  of  the  writer  as  early  as  the  year  1791. 
At  that  period  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  afforded 
him  some  aid  in  the  publication  of  a  collection  of  the  statutes 
of  the  Parliament  of  England  then  in  force  and  use  within 
the  State.  In  preparing  that  work,  he  examined  all  the 
statutes  from  Magna  Charta  to  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, and  an  arrangement  of  all  those  which  related  to 
America,  afforded  him  a  complete  view  of  the  colonial  sys- 
tem of  England.  In  1803  he  was  employed  by  the  same 
Legislature  to  publish  a  revisal  of  the  acts  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, passed  during  the  Proprietary,  Royal  and  State 
Go^^ernm'ents,  and  the  local  information  he  acquired  in  car- 
rying into  effect  the  intentions  of  those  who  employed,  sug- 
gested the  idea  of  collecting  materials  for  a  history  of  the 
State;  and  when  afterwards  he  'had  the  honor  of  represent- 
ing the  town  of  New  Bern  in  the  House  of  Commons,  he 
was  favored  with  a  resolution  of  the  General  Assembly, 
authorizing  the  Secretary  of  State  to  allow  him  access  to 
the  records  of  his  office.  In  the  speeches  of  the  Governors 
at  the  opening  of  the  sessions  of  the  Legislature,  he  found 
a  reference  to  the  principal  transactions  during  the  recess, 
ar  d  there  were  few  important  events  particularly  relating 
to  the  State,  which  left  no  trace  on  the  Journals  of  the  Legis- 
lature or  the  proceedings  of  the  executive.  *  *  *  Xbe 
writer  imagined  he  had  collected  sufficient  materials  to  jus- 
tify the  hope  of  producing  a  history  of  North  Carolina  worth 


•  MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  29 

the  attention  of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  he  had  arranged  all 
that  related  to  transactions,  anterior  to  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  when,  1809,  Mr.  Madison  thouofht  his  ser- 
vices were  wanted,  first  in  the  Mississippi  territoiry  and 
afterwards  in  that  of  Orleans ;  and  when  the  latter  territory 
became  a  State,  the  new  government  thought  proper  to  re- 
tain him.  He  had  entertained  the  hope  that  the  time  would 
arrive  when  disengaged  from  public  duties,  he  might  resume 
the  work  he  had  commenced  in  Carolina;  but  years  have 
rolled  away  without  bringing  on  this  period;  and  a  shock 
his  health  lately  received  during  the  year  of  'his  great  climac- 
teric, has  warned  him  that  the  moment  is  arrived  when  'his 
intended  work  must  engage  his  immediate  attention,  or  be 
absolutely  abandoned.  *  *  *  The  determination  has 
been  taken  to  put  the  work  immediately  to  press  in  the  con- 
dition it  was  when  it  reached  New  Orleans.  This  has  pre- 
vented any  use  being  madfe  of  Williamison's  History  of 
North  Carolina,,  a  copy  of  w'hich  did  not  reach  the  writer's 
hands  till  after  his  arrival  in  Louisiana.  The  expectation 
is  cherished  that  the  people  of  North  Carolina  will  receive, 
with  indulgence,  a  work  ushered  to  light  under  circum- 
stances so  untoward." 

Martin,  the  historian,  further  states  the  conditions  w'hich 
led  up  to  the  appointing  of  delegates  to  the  convention  that 
paved  the  way  to  independence.  This  all  occurred  prior  to 
1809,  after  which  date  he  ceased  to  write  any  historical 
reminiscences  O'f  the  country,  being  so  engaged  for  the  wel- 
fare of  the  purchase ;  being  a  native  of  France,  and  other- 
wise well  qualified  for  the  position,  he  was  kept  until  all 
difficulties  were  adjusted  and  amicably  settled.  His  health 
gave  way,  and  he  was  unable  to  return  to  historical  work, 
as  he  desired  to  do. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  province  the  people  were  still 
eager  in  their  resistance.  In  the  m'onths  of  March  and 
April,  1775,  the  leading  men  in  the  county  oi  Mecklenburg 
held  meetings  to  ascertain  the  sense  of  the  people,  and  to 
confirm  them  in  their  opposition  to  the  claim  of  the  Pariia- 


30  HISTORY  OF 

merit  to  impose  taxes  and  regulate  the  internal  policy  of  the 
colonies. 

At  one  of  those  meetings,  when-  it  was  ascertained  that 
the  people  were  prepared  to  meet  their  wishes,  it  was  ag-reed 
that  Thomas  Polk,  then  colonel  commiandant  of  the  county, 
should  issue  an  order  directed  to  each  captain  of  militia,  re- 
questing him  to  call  a  company  meeting  to  elect  two  dele- 
gates from  his  company,  to  meet  in  general  committee  at 
Charlotte,  on  the  19th  of  May,  giving  to  the  delegates  ample 
power  to  adopt  such  measures  as  to  them  should  seem  best 
calculated  to  promote  the  common  cause  of  defending  the 
rights  of  the  colony,  and  aiding  t'heir  brethren  in  Massachu- 
setts. Col.  Polk  issued  the  order,  and  delegates  were 
elected.  They  met  in  Charlotte  on  the  day  appointed.  The 
forms  of  their  proceedings  and  the  measures  to  be  proposed 
had  been  previously  agreed  upon  by  the  men  at  whose  in- 
stance the  committee  were  assembled.  The  Rev.  Hezekiah 
Jones  Balch,  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  and  William^  Kennon, 
an  attomey-at-law,  addressed  the  committee,  and  descanted 
on  the  causes  which  had  led  to  the  existing  contest  with  the 
mother  coimtry,  and  the  consequences  which  were  to  be  ap- 
prehended, unless  the  people  should  make  a  firm  and  ener- 
getic resistance  to  the  rig'ht  which  ParHament  asserted,  of 
taxing  the  colonies  and  regulating  their  internal  policy. 

On  the  day  on  which  the  committee  met,  the  first  intelli- 
gence of  the  action  at  Lexington,  in  Massachusetts,  on  the 
19th  of  April,  was  received  in  Charlotte.  This  intelligence 
produced  the  most  decisive  effect.  A  large  concourse  of 
people  had  assembled  to  witness  the  proceedings  of  the  com- 
mittee. The  speakers  addressed  their  discourses  as  well  to 
them  as  to  the  committee,  and  those  who  were  not  convinced 
by  their  reasoning,  were  influenced  by  their  feelings,  and  all 
cried  out,  "Let  us  be  independent !  Let  us  declare  our  inde- 
pendence and  defend  it  with  our  lives  and  fortunes !"  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  draw  up  resolutions.  This 
committee  was  composed  of  the  men  who  planned  the  whole 
proceedings,  and  who  had,  already,  prepared  the  resolutions 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  3I 

which  it  was  intended  should  be  submitted  to  the  general 
committee. 

Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard  had  drawn  up  the  resolutions  some 
time  before,  and  now  reported  them,  with  amendments,  as 
follows : 

Resolved,  That  whosoever  directly  or  indirectly  abets,  or 
in  any  way,  form  or  manner,  countenances  the  invasion  of 
our  rights  as  attempted  by  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain, 
is  an  enemy  to  his  countr}',  to  America  and  the  rights  of 
man. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  citizens  of  Mecklenburg  county, 
do  'hereby  dissolve  the  political  bonds  which  have  connected 
us  with  the  mother  country ;  and  absolve  ourselves  from  all 
allegiance  to  the  British  crown,  abjuring  all  political  connec- 
tion with  a  nation  that  has  wantonly  trampled  on  our  rights 
and  liberties,  and  inhumanly  shed  the  innocent  blood  of 
Americans  at  Lexington. 

Resolved,  That  we  do  declare  ourselves  a  free  and  inde- 
pendent people ;  that  we  are  and  of  right  ought  to  be  a  sov- 
ereign and  self-governing  people,  under  the  power  of  God 
and  the  general  congress ;  to  the  maintenance  of  which  inde- 
pendence we  solemnly  pledge  to  each  other  our  mutual  co- 
operation, our  lives,  our  fortunes  and  our  most  sacred  honor. 

Resolved,  That  we  do  hereby  ordain  and  adopt  as  rules 
of  conduct,  all  and  each  of  our  former  laws,  and  the  crown 
of  Great  Britain  cannot  be  considered  hereafter  as  holding 
any  rights,  privileges  or  immunities  among  us. 

Resolved,  That  all  offices,  both  civil  and  military,  in  this 
county,  be  entitled  to  exercise  the  same  powers  and  author- 
ities as  heretofore;  that  every  member  of  this  delegation 
shall  henceforth  be  a  civil  officer,  and  exercise  the  powers  of 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  issue  process,  hear  and  determine 
controversies  according  to  law,  preserve  peace,  union  and 
harmony  in  the  county,  and  use  every  exertion  to  spread 
the  love  of  liberty  and  of  country,  until  a  more  general  and 
better  organized  system  of  government  be  established. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  transmitted 


32  HISTORY  OF 

by  express  to  the  President  of  the  Continental  Congress^ 
assembled  in  Philadelphia,  to  be  laid  before  that  body. 

These  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  and  sub- 
scribed by  the  delegates. 

Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  20th  of 
May,  1775: 

Abraham  Alexander,  Chairman. 

John  McKnitt  Alexander,  Secretary. 

Ephraim  Brevard,  Secretary. 
Rev.  Hezekl\h  J.  Balch,      Charles  Alexander, 
John  Phifer,  Zaccheus  Wilson,  Jr., 

James  Harris,  Watghtstill  Avery, 

William  Kennon,  Benjamin  Patton, 

John  Ford,  Matthew  McClure, 

Richard  Barry,  Neill  Morrison, 

Henry  Downes,  Rorert  Irwin, 

EsRA  Alexander,  John  Flenniken, 

William  Graham,  David  Reese, 

John  Queary,  John  Davidson, 

Hezekiah  Alexander,  Richard  Harris,  Jr., 

Adam  Alexander,  Thomas  Polk. 

James  Jack,  of  Charlotte,  but  afterwards  living  in 
Georgia,  was  engaged  to  be  the  bearer  of  the  resolutions  to 
the  President  of  Congress,  and  directed  to  deliver  copies  of 
them'  to  the  delegates  in  Congress  from  North  Carolina. 
The  President  returned  a  polite  answer  to  the  address, 
which  accompanied  the  resolutions,  in  which  he  highly  ap- 
proved of  the  measures  adopted  by  the  delegates  of  Meck- 
lenburg, but  deemed  the  subject  of  the  resolutions  prema- 
ture to  be  laid  before  Congress.  Messrs.  Caswell.  Hooper 
and  Hewes  forwarded  a  joint  letter,  in  which  they  compli- 
mented the  people  of  Mecklenburg  for  their  zeal  in  the  com- 
mon cause,  and  recommended  to  them  the  strict  observance 
of  good  order;  that  the  time  would  soon  come  when^  the 
whole  continent  would  follow  their  example. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  33 

On  the  day  the  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  delegates 
in  Charlotte,  they  were  read  aloud  to  the  people,  who  had 
assembled  in  the  town,  and  proclaimed  amidst  the  shouts 
and  huzzas,  expressing  the  feelings  and  determination  of  ail 
present. 

When  Capt.  Jack  reached  Salisbury  on  his  way  to  Phila- 
delphia, the  general  court  was  sitting,  and  Mr.  Kennon,  an 
attorney-at-law,  who  had  assisted  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
delegates  at  Charlotte,  was  there  in  Salisbury.  At  the  re- 
quest of  the  judges,  Mr.  Kennon  read  the  resolutions  aloud 
in  open  court  to  a  large  concourse  of  people.  They  were 
listened  to  with  attention  and  approved  by  all  present.  The 
delegates  at  Charlotte  being  empowered  to  adopt  such 
measures,  as  in  their  opinion  would  best  promote  the  com- 
mon cause,  established  a  variety  of  regulatious  for  manag- 
ing the  concerns  of  the  county.  Courts  of  justice  were  held 
under  the  direction  of  the  delegates.  For  some  months 
these  courts  were  held  in  Charlotte,  but  for  the  convenience 
of  the  people  (for  at  that  time  Cabarrus  formed  part  of 
Mecklenburg),  two  other  places  were  selected  and  the  courts 
were  held  at  each  in  rotation.  The  delegates  appointed  a 
committee  of  their  own  body  v^ho  were  called  a  "Committee 
of  Safety,"  and  they  were  empowered  to  examine  all  persons 
brought  before  them  charged  with  being  inimical  toi  the  com- 
m.on  cause,  and  to  send  the  military  into  the  neighboring 
counties  to  arrest  suspected  persons.  In  the  exercise  of  this 
poAver,  the  committees  sent  into  Lincoln  and  Rowan  counties 
and  had  a  number  of  persons  arrested  and  brought  before 
them.  Those  who  manifested  penitence  for  their  Toryism, 
and  took  an  oath  to  support  the  cause  of  liberty  and  the  coun- 
tr}^  were  discharged.  Others  were  sent  under  guard  into 
South  Carolina  for  safe  keeping.  The  meeting  of  the  dele- 
gates at  Charlotte  and  the  proceedings  which  grew  out  of 
that  meeting  produced  the  zeal  and  unanimity  for  which  the 
people  of  Mecklenburg  were  distinguished  during  the  whole 
of  the  Revolutionary  War.  They  became  united  as  a  band 
of  brothers,  whose  confidence  in  each  other  and  the  cause 


34  HISTORY  OF 

which  they  had  sworn  to  support  was  never  shaken  in  the 
worst  of  times. 

The  history  of  the  convention  that  convened  in  Charlotte 
on  the  19th  and  20th  of  May,  1775,  is  detailed  by  an  edu- 
cated lawyer — Francois  Xavier  Martin^ — a  native  of  France, 
lived  in  New  Bern,  was  frequently  a  member  of  the  North 
Carolina  Leg-islature,  was  in  close  contact  with  the  history 
of  North  Carolina  from  1 791 -1809,  when  he  was  employed 
by  Mr.  Madison,  as  an  attorney,  to  proceed  to  New  Orleans 
and  the  Western  purchased  territory ;  that  he  was  well  quali- 
fied for  the  work,  and  also  to  write  history.  And  we  un- 
derstand' that  previous  to  18 19,  the  Mecklenburg  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  had  never  been  called  in  question  in 
any  manner.  Some  of  the  signers  lived  and  were  able  to 
travel  around  in  the  county  for  nearly  fifty  years  after  the 
great  epoch.  Maj.  John  Davidson  lived  till  1830.  Surely 
the  people  oi  Mecklenburg,  with  all  of  its  boasted  intelli- 
gence, would  have  discovered  the  fraud  before  forty  years 
had  passed  over  us,  or  if  it  was  necessary  tO'  bolster  up  the 
famous  son,  Mr.  Jefferson,  of  an  adjoining  State.  Another 
quotation  and  that  will  suffice : 

The  following  persons  attended  the  meeting  at  Hillsboro 
August  21,  1775,  to  consider  the  state  of  the  country: 
Thomas  Polk,  Jobn  Phifer,  Waightstill  Avery,  Samuel  Mar- 
tin, James  Houston,  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander. 

To  the  meeting  at  Halifax,  4th  of  April,  1776,  she  sent 
John  Phifer,  Robert  Irwin,  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander. 
(The  county  was  ever  jealous  of  her  rights,  in  sending  her 
best  men  as  delegates  to  see  that  her  rights  were  maintained 
at  all  hazards.  The  following  instructions  were  given  to 
the  delegates  from  the  people,  being  found  among  the  old 
surviving  papers  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander.  He  is  the 
author  of  them,  dated  ist  September,  1776.) 

Instructions  for  the  delegates  of  Mecklenburg  county : 

"i.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  the  late  province  of 
North  Carolina  is  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  a  free  and  inde- 
pendent State,  invested  with  all  the  powers  of  legislation, 


(u, 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  35 

capable  of  making  laws  to  regulate  all  its  internal  policy, 
subject  only  in  its  external  connections,  and  foreigfn  com- 
merce, to  a  negative  of  a  Continental  Senate. 

"2.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  for  the  execution  of  a  Civil 
Government  under  the  authority  of  the  people  for  the  future 
security  of  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  prerogatives  of  the 
State,  and  the  private,  natural  and  unalienable  rights  of  the 
constituting  members  thereof,  either  as  men  or  Christians. 
If  this  shoidd  not  be  confirmed  in  Congress  or  Convention, 
protest. 

"3.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  an  equal  representa- 
tion' be  established,  and  that  the  qualifications  required  to 
enable  any  person  or  persons  to  have  a  voice  in  legislation, 
may  not  be  secured  too  hig'h.  but  that  every  freeman  who 
shall  be  called  upon  to  support  government  either  in  person 
or  property,  may  be  admitted  thereto.  If  this  should  not 
be  confirmed,  protest  and  remonstrate. 

"4.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  legislation  be  not  a 
divided  right,  and  that  no  man,  or  body  of  men  be  invested 
with  a  negative  on  the  voice  of  the  people  duly  collected,  and 
that  no  honors  or  dignities  be  conferred,  for  life,  or  made 
hereditary,  on  any  person  or  persons,  either  legislative  or 
executive.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed,  protest  and  re- 
monstrate. 

"5.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  all  and  every  person 
or  persons  seized  or  po'Ssessed  of  any  estate,  real  or  personal, 
agreeable  to  the  last  establishment,  be  confirmed  in  their 
seizure  and  possession,  to  all  intents  and  purposes  in  law, 
who  have  not  forfeited  their  right  to  the  protection  of  the 
State  by  their  criminal  practices  towards  the  same.  If  this 
should  no  be  confirmed — protest. 

"6.  Yon  are  instructed  to  vote  that  deputies  to  represent 
this  State  in  a  Continental  Congress  be  appointed  in  and  by 
the  supreme  legislative  body  of  the  State,  the  form  of  nom- 
ination to  be  submitted  to,  if  free,  and  also  that  all  officers 
the  influence  of  whose  is  equally  to  extend  to  every  part  of 
the  State,  be  appointed  in  the  same  manner  and  form — like- 


36  HISTORY  OF 

wise  give  your  consent  to  the  establishing  the  old  political 
divisions,  if  it  should  be  voted  in  convention,  or  to  new  ones 
if  similar.  On  such  establishments  taking  place,  you  are 
instructed  to  vote,  in  the  general,  that  all  officers  who  are  to 
exercise  their  authority  in  any  of  said  districts,  be  recom- 
mended to  the  trust  only  by  the  freemen  of  said  division' — 
to  be  subject,  however,  to  the  general  laws  and  regulations 
of  the  State.  If  this  should  not  be  substantially  confirmed — 
protest. 

"7.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  the  people 
you  immediately  represent  be  acknowledged  toi  be  a  distinct 
county  of  this  State  as  formerly  of  the  late  province,  with 
the  additional  privileges  of  annually  electing  in  their  own 
officers,  both  civil  and  military,  together  with  the  election 
of  clerks  and  sheriffs,  by  the  freemen  of  the  same.  The 
choice  to  be  confirmed  by  the  sovereign  authority  of  the 
State,  and  the  officers  so  invested  to  be  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  State  and  liable  to  its  cognizance  and  inflictions 
in  case  of  malpractice.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed, 
protest  and  remonstrate. 

"8.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  no  Chief  Justice,  no 
Secretary  of  State,  no  Auditor-General,  no  Surveyor-Gen- 
eral, no  practicing  lawyer,  no  clerk  of  any  court  of  record, 
no  Sheriff,  and  no  person  holding  a  military  office  in  this 
State,  shall  be  a  representative  of  the  people  in  Congress 
or  Convention.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — contend 
for  it. 

"9.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  all  claims  against  the 
public,  except  such  as  accrue  upon  attendance  of  Congress  or 
Convention,  be  first  submitted  to  the  inspection  of  a  commit- 
tee of  nine  or  more  men,  inhabitants  of  the  county  where 
said  claimant  is  a  resident,  and  without  the  approbation  of 
said  committee,  it  shall  not  be  accepted  by  the  public,  for 
which  purpose  you  are  to  move  and  insist  that  a  law  be  en- 
acted to  empower  the  freemen  of  each  county  to  choose  a 
committee  of  not  less  than  nine  men,  of  whom  none  are  to 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  37 

be  military  officers.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — pro- 
test and  remonstrate. 

''lo.  You  are  instructed  to  refuse  to  enter  into  any  com- 
bination of  secrecy  as  members  of  Cong-ress  or  Convention, 
and  also  refuse  to  subscribe  any  ensnaring  jests  binding  you 
to  an  unlimited  subjection  to  the  determination  of  Conigress 
or  Convention. 

"i  I.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  the  public 
accounts  fairly  stated  shall  be  regularly  kept  in  proper 
books,  open  to  the  inspection  of  all  persons  whom  it  may 
concern*.     If  this  should  not  be  confirmed' — contend  for  it. 

"i2.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  the  power 
of  County  Courts  be  much  more  extensive  than  under  the 
former  Constitution,  both  with  respect  to  matters  of  prop- 
erty and  breaches  of  the  peace.  If  not  confirmed — contend 
for  it. 

"13.  You  are  instructed  to  assent  and'  cou'sent  to  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  Christian  religion  as  contained  in  the 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  and  more  briefly 
comprised  in  the  thirty-nine  articles  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, excluding  the  37th  Article,  together  with  all  the  arti- 
cles excepted  and  not  to  be  irhposed  on  dissenters  by  the 
act  of  toleration,  and  clearly  held  forth  in  the  Confession 
of  Faith  compiled  by  the  assembly  of  divines  at  Westmini- 
ster, to  be  the  religion  of  the  State,  to  the  utter  exclusion 
forever  of  all  and  every  other  (falsely,  so-called)  religion, 
whether  Pagan  or  Papal,  and  that  the  full,  free  and  peace- 
able enjoyment  thereof  be  secured  to  all  and  every  constitu- 
ent member  of  the  State  as  their  unalienable  right  as  free- 
men, without  the  imposition  of  rites  and  ceremonies, 
whether  claiming  civil  or  ecclesiastic  power  for  their  source, 
and  that  a  confession  and  profession  of  the  religion  so  es- 
tablished' shall  be  necessary  in  qualifying  any  person  for 
public  trust  in  the  State.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — 
protest  and  remonstrate. 

"14.  You  are  instructed  to  oppose  to  the  utmost  any  par- 
ticular church  or  set  of  clergymen  being  invested  with  power 


38  HISTORY  OF 

to  decree  rites  and  ceremonies  and  to  decide  in  controversies 
of  faith  to  be  submitted  to  under  the  influence  of  penal  laws; 
you  are  also  to  oppose  the  establishment  of  any  mode  of 
worship  to  be  supported  to  the  opposition  of  the  rights  of 
conscience,  together  with  the  destruction  of  private  property. 
You  are  to  understand  that  under  modes  of  worship  are 
comprehended  the  dijfferent  forms  of  swearing  by  law  re- 
quired. You  are  moreover  to  oppose  the  establishing  of  an 
ecclesiastic  supremacy  in  the  sovereign  authority  of  the 
State.  You  are  to  oppose  the  toleration  of  the  popish  idola- 
trous worship.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed,  protest  and 
remonstrate. 

"15.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  not  less 
than  four-fifths  of  the  body  of  which  you  are  members  shall, 
in  voting,  be  deemed  a  majority.  If  this  should  not  be  con- 
firmed, contend  for  it. 

"16.  You  are  instructed  to  give  your  voices  to  an<i  for 
every  motion  and  bill  made  or  brought  into  the  Congress  or 
Convention,  where  they  appear  to  be  for  public  utility  and 
in  no  way  repugnant  to  the  above  instruction. 

"17.  Gentlemen,  the  foregoing  instructions  you  are  not 
only  to  look  on  as  instructive,  but  as  charges  to  which  you 
are  desired  to  take  special  heed  as  the  general  rule  of  your 
conduct  as  our  representatives,  and  we  expect  you  will  exert 
yourselves  to  the  utmost  of  your  ability  to  obtain  the  pur- 
poses given  you  in  charge,  and  wherein  you  fail  either  in  ob- 
taining or  opposing,  you  are  hereby  ordered  to  enter  your 
protest  against  the  vote  of  Congress  or  Convention  as  is 
pointed  out  to  you  in  the  above  instructions." 

Never  was  there  advice  more  timely  given  than  is  re- 
corded in  the  above  seventeen  paragraphs,  by  John  McKnitt 
Alexander,  the  secretary  of  the  noted  and  eminently  patri- 
otic Convention,  that  cut  loose  all  the  bonds  that  united  us 
with  England,  the  first  convention  of  the  kind  ever  held  in 
America  or  the  world.  The  declaration  issued  by  this  Con- 
vention is  the  admiration  of  the  present  generation,  and  will 
be  of  generations  to  the  end  of  time — the  first  Declaration 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  39 

of  Independence  in  America.  At  a  hasty  view,  this  declara- 
tion made  by  a  colony  on  the  Western  frontier  of  our  Ameri- 
can province,  may  seem  rash  and  unreasonable;  but  when 
the  race  and  the  creed  of  the  people,  and  their  habits,  are 
taken  into  consideration,  we  wonder  at  their  forbearance. 
This  classic  declaration  expressed  a  deep  settled  purpose, 
which  the  ravages  of  the  British  army,  in  succeeding"  years, 
could  not  shake.  Neither  the  Cong-ress  of  tbe  United  Prov- 
inces, then  in  session,  nor  the  Congress  of  the  Province  of 
North  Carolina,  which  assembled  in  August  of  the  same 
year,  were  prepared  to  second  the  declaration  of  Mecklen*- 
burg",  though  the  latter  appointed  commiittees  of  safety  in 
all  the  counties,  similar  to  the  committee  of  Mecklenburg. 
The  papers  of  the  Convention  were  preserved  by  the  secre- 
tary, John  McKnitt  Alexander,  till  the  year  1800,  when  they 
were  destroyed,  with  his  dwelling,  by  fire.  But  the  Rev. 
Mumpihrey  Hunter  and  Gen.  Graham,  who  both  had  heard 
the  Declaration  read'  on.  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  had  ob- 
tained copies,  which  had  been  preserved,  and  Mr.  Alexan^ 
der  gave  one  himself  to  Gen.  Davie  sometime  previous  to 
the  fire. 

The  reason  for  the  obscurity  in  which  the  proceedings  of 
the  Convention  in  Charlotte  were  for  a  time  buried  may  be 
found  in  the  facts — first,  the  cotmty  in  which  they  took  place 
was  far  removed  from  any  large  seaport  or  trading  city; 
was  a  frontier,  rich  in  soil  and  productions,  and  men,  but 
poor  in  money;  with  no  person  that  had  attracted  public 
notice,  like  the  Lees  and  Henry,  of  Virginia,  for  eloquence ; 
or  like  Hancock,  of  Massachusetts,  for  dignity  in  a  public 
assembly,  or  Jefferson,  for  political  acumen;  and,  second, 
the  National  Declaration  in  1776,  with  the  war  that  fol- 
lowed, so  completely  absorbed  the  minds  of  the  whole  nation 
that  efforts  of  the  few,  however  patriotic,  were  cast  into  the 
shade.  In  the  joy  of  National  Independence,  the  particular 
l>art  any  man  or  body  of  men  may  have  acted,  was  over- 
looked ;  and  in  the  bright  scenes  spread  out  before  a  young 
republic,  the  colonial  politics  s'hared  the  fate  of  the  soldiers 


40  HISTORY  OF 

and  officers  that  bore  the  fatigues  and  endured  the  miseries 
of  the  seven  years'  war. 

Men  were  too  eagfer  to  enjoy  liberty  and  push  their  specu- 
lations to  become  rich,  to  estimate  the  worth  of  those 
patriots  whose  history  will  be  better  known  by  next  genera- 
tion, and  whose  honors  will  be  duly  appreciated. 

Some  publications  were  made  on  this  subject  in  the 
Raleigh  Register  in  1819,  and  for  a  time  public  attention 
w-as  drawn  to  the  subject  in  different  parts  of  the  country-. 

About  the  year  1830,,  some  publications  were  made,  call- 
ing in  question  the  authenticity  of  the  document  as  being 
neither  a  true  paper,  nor  a  paper  of  a  true  convention.  Dr. 
Joseph  McKnitt  Alexander,  a  son  of  the  old  secretary,  in- 
heriting much  of  the  spirit  of  his  father,  felt  himself  moved 
to  defend  the  honor  of  his  father  and  the  noble  men  that 
were  associated  in  the  county  of  Mecklenburg.  Letters 
were  addressed  to  different  individuals  who  either  had  taken 
a  part  in  the  spirited  transactions  of  1775,  or  had  beeni  spec- 
tators of  those  scenes  that  far  outstripped  in  patriotic  daring 
the  State  at  large,  or  even  the  Congress  assembled  in  Phila- 
delphia. The  attention  of  all  the  survivors  of  revolutionary 
times  was  awakened ;  their  feelings  were  aroused,  and  they 
came  on  all  sides  to  the  rescue  of  those  men  who  had  pledged 
''their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  most  sacred  honor." 

The  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter,  \Vho  had  preached  in  Steel 
Creek  many  years,  within  a  few  miles  of  Charlotte,  and  for 
a  number  of  years  in  Unity  and  Goshen,  in  Lincoln  county, 
sent  to  the  son  a  copy  of  the  Declaration,  together  with  a 
history  of  the  Convention,  of  which  he  was  an  eye  witness. 
Gen.  Graham,  who  had  grown  up  near  Charlotte,  had  been 
high  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  was  an  actor  in  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  an  eye-witness  of  the  Convention,  did  the  same. 
Captain  Jack,  who  carried  the  Declaration  to  Philadelphia, 
gave  his  solemn  asseveration  to  the  facts  as  an  eye-witness 
of  the  Convention,  and  as  its  messenger  to  Congress.  Jdhn 
Davidson,  a  member  of  the  Convention,  gave  his  solemn  tes- 
timony, writing  from  memory,  and  not  presenting  copy  of 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  4I 

the  doings,  but  asserting  the  facts  and  general  principles 
of  the  Convention.  He  also  had  a  son  born  on  the  20th  of 
May  1787 — the  twelfth  anniversary,  whom  he  called  "In- 
dependent Ben,"  in  honor  of  the  day.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Cum- 
mins, who  had  been  educated  at  Queen's  Museum,  in  Char- 
lotte, and  was  a  student  at  the  time  of  the  Convention!,  af- 
firmed that  repeated  meetings  were  held  in  the  hall  of 
Queen's  Museum  by  the  leading  men  in  Mecklenburg,  dis- 
cussing the  business  to  be  brought  before  the  Convention 
when  assembled.  Colonel  Polk,  of  Raleigh,  wlio  was  a 
youth  at  the  time,  and  who  repeatedly  read  over  the  paper 
to  different  circles  on  that  interesting  occasion,  affirmed  and 
defended  the  doings  of  his  father,  at  whose  call,  by  unani- 
mous consent,  the  delegates  assembled.  Many  less  known 
to  the  public,  sent  their  recollections  of  the  events  of  the  19th 
and  20th  of  May. 

Mrs.  Susan  Smart,  whose  maiden  name  was  Barnett,  was 
born  between  Charlotte  and  Pineville,  afterwards  married 
Smart.  When  this  noted  convention  met  in  Charlotte,  she 
being  13  years  old,  was  present  with  every  one  else  able  to 
get  there,  and  bore  witness  to  the  enthusiasm  of  the  crowd 
in  "throwing  up  of  hats,"  many  of  them  falling  on  house 
roofs,  where  it  was  difficult  to  get  them  down. 


The  Celebration  of  the  20th  of  May,  1775.  in  the 
Yestr  1825,  and  Wha^t  Took  Place  on  that 
DoLte. 

A  description  of  a  celebration  of  the  20th  of  May  as  given 
in  the  Catawba  Journal,  Charlotte,  1825,  which  was  a 
v/eekly  paper  published  under  the  direction  of  Lemuel  Bing- 
ham.    The  description  is  as  follows : 

Charlotte,  Tuesday,  May  1825. — Mecklenburg  Independence. 

"The  celebration  which  took  place  in  this  town  on  the  20th 
instant  was  equal  to,  if  it  did  not  surpass,  anything-  of  the 
kind  ever  before  witnessed  here.  The  day  was  fine  and 
not  uncomfortably  warm,  and  at  an  early  hour  a  large  con- 
course of  people,  strangers  and  citizens,  had  assembled  to 
honor  the  day.  At  1 1  o'clock  a.  m.  a  procession  was  formed 
under  the  direction  of  Col.  Thomas  G.  Polk,  on^  the  street 
south  of  the  court  house.  Capt.  Kennedy's  company  of 
cavalry  and  the  Fayetteville  Artillery,  under  the  com^mand 
of  Capt.  Thomas  Polk,  in  front,  citizens  and  strangers  next, 
and  lastly,  a  band  of  Revolutionary  veterans,  sixty  or 
seventy  in  number,  wearing  badges  with  the  figures  '75 
stamped  on  them.  The  procession  then  moved  to  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  which,  though  spacious,  was  crowded  to 
overflowing,  and  mimbers  found  it  impossible  to  procure 
seats.  The  exercises  at  the  church  commenced  with  prayer, 
replete  with  genuine  piety  and  ardent  patriotism,  by  the 
venerable  Dr.  Humphrey  Hunter.  This  was  succeeded  by 
appropriate  music  from  the  band,  after  which  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  by  the  citizens  of  Mecklenburg  was 
read  by  the  same  reverend  gentleman.  An  oration  was  then 
pronounced  by  Mr.  Monson,  which  rivetted  the  attention 
of  the  audience  and  caused  tears  to  trickle  down  the  fur- 
rowed cheeks  of  numbers  of  the  war-worn  and  hoary-headed 


MKCKLENBURG    COUNTY.  43 

veterans.  Tlie  orator  did  ample  justice  to  his  subject.  He 
depicted  in  animated  colors  the  undaunted  patriotism  of  our 
forefathers,  whom  no  difficulties  could  dishearten,  no  terrors 
dismay,  no  privations  subdue;  v^ho,  looking"  only  to  the  jus- 
tice of  their  cause  and  the  wrongs  they  had  received,  indig"- 
nantly  renounced  their  allegiance  to  a  government  w'hose 
protection  was  felt  only  in  the  injuries  which  it  inflicted, 
and  whose  paternal  regard  was  evinced  only  in  systematic 
attempts  to  wrest  from  them  all  that  they  held  valuable  as 
nien  who  claimed  freedom  as  a  birthright  and  to  reduce 
them  to  a  stage  of  bondage  worse  than  death.  His  address 
to  the  patriotic  band  w'hose  venerable  forms  were  before 
him,  and  whose  snowy  locks  and  bended  frames  formed  such 
a  striking  contrast  to  the  picture  he  had  sketched  of  their 
youthful  strength  and  vigor,  was  peculiarly  appropriate  and 
pathetic,  and  excited  emotions  in  every  breast  which  miay 
be  easily  imagined,  but  not  described.  The  address,  in 
short,  was  well  conceived  and  happily  executed,  and  we  re- 
gret that  it  will  not  be  in  our  power  to  lay  it  before  our 
readers,  as  the  author  has  declined  the  request  of  the  com- 
mittee to  furnish  a  copy  for  publication.  The  exercises 
at  the  church  were  closed  with  music  and  discharges  of  can- 
non, and  the  Revolutionary  veterans  returned  in  procession, 
escorted  by  the  military. 

"No  one  present  at  this  celebration  could  have  been  en- 
tirely unmoved  by  the  recollections  and  associations  con- 
nected with  it.  The  occasion  was  peculiarly  calculated  to 
produce  an  intensity  of  feeling,  and  to  elicit  reflections  at 
once  pleasurable  and  profitable.  It  w^as  the  fiftieth  anni- 
versary of  an  event  of  which  the  citizens  of  Mecklenburg, 
without  the  imputation  of  vanity,  might  justly  be  proud;  it 
was  a  fit  occasion  of  joy  and  gratitude,  rejoicing  and  praise; 
but  at  the  same  time  the  reflection  could  not  but  arise  in 
many  a  bosom  that  but  few,  very  few,  of  the  numbers  then 
assembled  to  commemorate  it,  would  live  to  witness  its  re- 
turn. Fifty  years  hence,  and  of  the  multitude  then  present, 
the  greater  part  will  be  reposing  beneath  the  clods  of  the 


44  HISTORY  OF 

valley;  dust  will  have  returned  to  dust,  and  the  spirit  to  Him 
who  g^ave  it. 

Such  a  reflection  was  well  calculated  to  moderate  the  feel- 
inig"s,  to  induce  a  soberness  of  mirth,  and  to  impart  an  in- 
terest to  the  scene  at  once  peculiar  and  impressive.  About 
4  o'clock  p.  m.,  a  large  number  sat  down  to  a  dinner  pre- 
pared by  Dr.  Henderson,  in  the  beautiful  grove  on  the  col- 
lege green.  Gen.  George  Gra'ham  officiated  as  president, 
and  Mr.  Isaac  Alexander  as  vice  president.  After  the  clotb 
was  removed,  the  following  toasts  were  drunk,  interspersed 
with  patriotic  songs  and  accompanied  with  discharges  of 
cannon : 

1.  "The  day  we  celebrate."  On  that  day  the  republican 
banners  were  unfurled  in  Charlotte,  independence  declared 
by  the  patriotic  citizens  of  Mecklenburg,  absolving  them- 
selves from  all  allegiance  to  Great  Britain.  May  the  noble 
deed  be  engraven  on  the  hearts  of  all  present,  and  the  guilded 
pages  of  history  transmit  it  to  posterity. 

2.  "The  patriots  who  signed  the  Mecklenburg  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  the  20th  of  May,  1775."  We  honor 
them  for  their  firmness,  love  them'  for  their  virtues  and  ven- 
erate them  for  their  patriotism. 

3.  "The  memory  of  those  heroes  of  Lexington,  Mass., 
who  first  sealed  the  broken  covenant  with  their  blood,  and 
absolved  all  allegiance  with  mother  Britain." 

4.  "Onr  country  and  our  government."  The  genius  of 
Columbus,  the  patriotism  of  Washington,  the  philosophy  of 
Franklin,  the  wisdom  of  Jefferson  and  compatriots,  have 
erected  a  fabric  that  will  last  till  time  shall  be  no  more. 

5.  "The  heroes  of  the  Revolution."  While  we  hold  in 
sacred  remembrance  those  that  are  gathered  to  their  fathers, 
let  us  not  fail  to  cherish  in  our  heart's  core  the  scattered 
remnants  that  yet  survive. 

6.  "The  Presidents  of  the  United  S'tates."  An  able 
statesman,  may  the  administration  prove  that  the  confidence 
of  Congress  was  not  misplaced. 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  45 

7.  ''The  descendants  of  the  patriotic  members  of  the 
Alecklenburg  delegation  who  declared  independence." 

Let  no  mean  hope  your  souls  enslave, 
Independent,  generous,  brave. 
Your  fathers  such  examples  g-ave — 
And  such  revere. 

8.  "Popular  elections."  There  purity  and  frequency  are 
the  best  security  for  the  safety  of  our  republican  institutions 
and  the  strong-est  barrier  against  the  encroachments  of 
tyranny. 

9.  ''Internal  improvements.*' 

10.  "Andrew  Jackson."  He  has  filled  the  measure  of 
his  country's  story;  he  is  the  friend  of  the  people — the  peo- 
ple are  his  friends. 

11.  "Bolivia  and  the  independent  provinces  of  South 
America." 

12.  "Washington  and  Lafayette." 

13.  "The  Fair  Sex."  Beauty  and  booty,  the  war  cry  of 
slavery — protection  to  beauty,  the  watchword  of  freemen. 

By  Dr.  James  G.  M.  Ramsay,  of  Tennessee:  "Gen. 
Thomas  Polk  and  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard." — The  first 
bosoms  that  ever  glowed  with  the  joyous  anticipation  of 
American  independence. 

By  Wm.  Davidson,  Esq:  "Henry  Clay." — ^The  great 
orator  of  the  west,  an  able  statesman  and  independent  as  h 
man — shielded  by  virtuous  patriotism,  he  is  impregnable  to 
the  shafts  of  malice. 

By  Col.  T.  G.  Polk :  "The  political  prospects  of  Henry 
Clay." 

Like  the  dew  on  the  mountain, 

Like  the  foam  on  the  river, 
Like  the  bubble  on  the  fountain — 

They  are  gone  and  forever. 

By  the  Hon.  H.  W.  Conner :  "General  William  David- 
son," who  fell  at  Cowan's  Ford,  bravely  fighting  for  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  his  country. 


46  HISTORY  OP 

By  J.  H.  Blake,  Esq. :  "Henry  Clay." — Tlie  undaunted 
champion  of  universal  liberty. 

By  Capt.  Thomas  I.  Polk :  "The  next  President  of  the 
United  States." 

By  L.  H.  Alexander:  "Andrew  Jackson  and  Wm.  H. 
Crawford." 

Copied  from  the  same  journal  of  May  24,  1825. 

"The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration 
of  Independence  was  celebrated  in  this  place  on  the  20th  in- 
stant. Not  being  able  to  procure  a  copy  O'f  the  toasts  in 
season  for  this  week's  paper,  and  other  causes  intervening 
to  render  a  postponement  necessary,  we  s'hall  defer  a  partic- 
ular account  of  the  proceedings  until  our  next,  barely  men- 
tioning at  this  timie  that  the  celebration  throughout  was 
worthy  the  occasion  and  honorable  to  the  public  spirit  and 
patriotism  of  Mecklenburg.  The  "toasts"  indicate  the 
presence  in  this  semi-centennial  celebration  of  men  of  both 
parties,  who,  however  much  they  differed  on  other  matters, 
seemed  to  have  met  on  common  ground.  Of  the  partici- 
pants in  these  memorial  ceremonies  a  large  number  appear 
to  have  been  old  soldiers  of  the  Revolution." 

At  that  date,  as  I  ascertain  by  a  paragraph  in  the  Journal 
of  May  10,  1825,  the  only  survivor  of  those  who  issued  the 
resolutions  of  May  20th  was  David  Reese,  then  living  in 
Cabarrus.  It  is  also  evident  that  the  20th  of  May  'had  been 
commemorated  in  a  similar  manner  in  previous  years. 


A  Historica.1  Fa.ct  Not  Gei\era.lly  Known. 

The  fate  of  the  original  Declaration  of  Independence,  en- 
acted in  Charlotte  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  to  be  of 
any  historical  importance,  is  not  without  its  parallel  in  his- 
tory, for  in  an  article  by  W.  L.  Stone,  in  the  July  number  of 
Harper's  Magazine  (1883)  we  find  the  following  recited  on 
the  subject  of  signing  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
of  July  4,  1776: 

"In  thinking  of  that  instrument,  one  is  apt  to  call  up  be- 
fore him  an  august  assemblage  gravely  seated  around  a 
table,  with  declaration  spread  out  upon  it,  and  each  member 
of  the  Continental  Congress  in  turn  taking  a  pen  and  with 
great  dignity  affixing  to  it  his  name.  Nothing,  however, 
can  be  further  from  that  which  actually  took  place,  very  few 
of  the  delegates,  if  indeed  any,  signed  the  original  document 
on  the  4th,  and  none  signed  the  present  one  now  in  Inde- 
pendence Hall,  for  the  very  good  reason  that  it  was  not  then 
in  existence. 

"On  July  19th,  Congress  voted  that  the  Declaration  be 
engrossed  on  parchment.  Jefferson,  however,  says  that 
New  York  signed  on  July  15th.  Consequently,  New  York 
must  have  signed  the  original  Declaration  before  it  had 
gone  into  the  hands  of  the  engrosser.  On  what  day  the 
work  was  done  by  the  copyist,  is  not  known.  All  that  is 
certainly  known,  is  that  on  August  2nd  Congress  had  the 
document  as  engrossed.  This  is  the  document  in  existence 
now  in  Independence  Hall.  It  is  on  parchment  or  some- 
thing that  the  trade  calls  parchment.  On  that  day  (August 
2nd)  it  was  signed  by  all  the  members  present.  The  origi- 
nal Declaration  is  lost,  or  rather  was  probably  purposely  de- 
stroyed by  Congress.  All  the  signatures  were  made  anew. 
When  the  business  of  signing  was  ended,  is  not  known. 
One,  Matthew  Thornton,  from  New  Hampshire,  signed  it 
in  November,  when  he  became  a  member  for  the  first  time. 


48  HISTORY  OF 

And  Thomas  McKean,  from  Delaware,  as  he  says  himself, 
did  not  sign  till  January,  1777.  Indeed,  this  signing  was, 
in  effect,  what  at  the  present  day  would  be  called  a  'test 
oath."  The  principles  of  many  of  the  new  delegates  coming 
into  Congress  from  the  different  States,  were  not  known 
with  certainty — some  of  them  might  be  Tories  in  disguise — 
and  thus  each  one  was  required,  on  first  entering  Congress, 
to  sign  the  Declaration.  In  January,  1777,  an  authenti- 
cated copy,  with  the  names  of  all  the  signers,  was  sent  to 
each  State  for  signatures — a  fact  which  may  have  put  a  stop 
to  the  business  of  signing.  It  shows,  however,  the  little  in> 
portance  that  was  attached  to  this  ceremony,  that  Robert  R. 
Livingston  was  one  of  the  committee  of  five  that  reported 
the  Declaration,  and  yet  did  not  sign  it,  unless  his  signature 
is  lo'St  with  the  original  document. 

"The  truth  is  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  con- 
sidered at  that  time  of  much  less  importance  than  now,  nor 
did  the  signers  dream  of  its  becoming  a  shrine  almost  of 
worship  at  the  present  day.  It  was  like  the  Scottish  Cov- 
enants of  the  previous  century,  which  so  strongly  tinctured 
the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  May  20,  1775." 

The  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence  is  so  well 
authenticated  that  it  takes  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
nerve  power  to  deny,  in  the  presence  of  the  descendants  of 
those  great  and  good  men,  who  sat  at  the  feet  of  Alexainider 
Craighead  and  learned  of  him  those  Bible  and  political  truths 
that  were  established  with  the  freedom  and  independence  of 
our  happy  country.  Bancroft  says  :  "The  first  public  voice 
in  America  for  dissolving  all  connection  with  Great  Britain, 
came  not  from  the  Puritans  of  New  England,  the  Dutch  of 
New  York,  nor  the  planters  of  Virginia,  but  from  Scotch- 
Irish  Presbyterians." 

Rev.  Alexander  Craighead  exercised  a  most  wonderful 
influence  in  Mecklenburg  county — before  the  county  was 
laid  off — both  for  Church  and  State.  In  1755  he  and  his 
friends  came  to  Rocky  River  and  Sugar  Creek,  and  there  he 
taught  the  people  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel  and  o-f 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  49 

Liberty,  which  are  indissolubly  connected.  Presbyterian^ 
ism  and  RepubHcanism  best  flouish  together.  In  the  de- 
cayed monarchies  of  Europe,  the  hard  and  rigorous  laws  by 
which  the  people  are  held  under  priestcraft,  are  inimical 
to  the  growth  of  free  governments.  Mr.  Craighiead  was 
the  main  leader  in  building  the  seven  first  churches  in  this 
county.  They  were  all  established  about  1762,  but  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  they  had  stands,  or  groves,  for 
three  or  five  years  earlier.  "Over  twenty  of  the  members 
of  the  Convention  of  Charlotte,  who  on  May  20,  1775,  pro- 
<luced  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence, 
were  connected  with  the  seven  Presbyterian  churches  of  the 
county,  two  of  which  were  Rocky  River  and  Sugar  Creek. 
From  these  two  the  other  five  took  "life  and  being."  Such 
were  the  men  who,  when  informed  of  the  troubles  "to  the 
eastward,"  rallied  to  the  cry :  "The  cause  of  Boston  is  the 
cause  of  all." 

With  Craighead  they  held  that  the  right  of  the  people 
were  as  divine  as  the  rights  of  kings,  for  their  fathers,  and 
they  themselves  had  often  listened  in  rapt  attention  to  his 
thrilling  eloquence,  and  felt  as  if  himself  were  he  on  whose 
sole  arm  hung  victory.  Although  Mr.  Craighead  died  be- 
fore the  convention  of  May  20,  1775,  at  Charlotte,  yet  to 
the  whole  American  Nation  should  revere  his  memory  as  the 
fearless  champion  of  those  principles  of  civil  and  religious 
freedom,  which  they  now  enjoy,  and  which  first  found  ex- 
pression from  his  old  comrades  in  the  immortal  Declara- 
tion, the  true  date  of  which,  in  the  language  of  another, 
"Has  been  as  clearly  established  as  the  given  name  of  any 
citizen  then  living  in  the  county." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  A.  W.  Miller  in  a  sermon  delivered  at 
Charlotte  on  May  14,  1876,  most  truthfully  used  the  follow- 
ing language : 

"If  to  the  people  of  Mecklenburg  county  Providence  as- 
signed the  foremost  position  in  the  ranks  of  patriots,  a  cen- 
tury ago,  let  them  never  cease  to  hallow  the  memory  of 
that  illustrious  hero,  the  Rev.  Alexander  Craighead,  who 


50  HISTORY   OF 

prepared  them  for  it,  at  so  great  toil  and  pain,  and  for  years 
and  years  diligently  sowed  the  seed  that  produced  the  glo- 
rious harvest.  No  ordinary  work  was  given  him  to  do,  and 
no  ordinary  training  and  discipline  fitted  him  for  it. 

"Deeply  imbibing  the  spirit  of  the  Scottish  Covenant, 
contending  earnestly  for  the  descending  obligations  of  those 
covenants  upon  all  w^hose  ancestors  were  parties  to  the  same, 
and  insisting  upon  making  the  adoption  of  the  solemn 
League  and  Covenant  a  term  of  communion  for  members 
of  the  church  in  the  colonial  as  well  as  the  mother  country, 
testifying  continually  to  the  Headship  of  Christ  over  the 
State,  and  the  responsibility  of  all  kings  and  rulers  to  Him, 
a  failure  of  whose  allegiance  to  Him  would  forfeit  the  alle- 
giance of  the  people  to  them;  proclaiming  everywhere  these 
good  old  doctrines,  with  a  fidelity,  and  a  courage,  and  a 
zeal,  and  a  constancy,  that  ought  to  have  secured  sympathy 
and  commanded  admiration.  Instead  of  this,  he  expe- 
rienced the  usual  fate  of  those  who  are  in  advance  of  the 
age.  He  was  opposed,  resisted,  denounced  as  an  extremist 
and  ultra  reformer,  calumniated  as  an  agitor,  and  even  cen- 
sured by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
It  was  not  until  he  came  to  North  Carolina  that  he  found 
a  congenial  element  which  he  could  mould  and  train  success- 
fully in  devotion  to  principles  bearing  fruit  in  splendid 
achievements,  which  now,  at  this  anniversary  season,  in  an- 
other city,  are  commanding  the  homage  of  the  representa- 
tives of  the  world — so  successfully  trained — that  Charlotte 
occupied  the  front  rank  more  than  a  year  in  advance  of  Phil- 
adelphia, the  latter  on  May  20,  1775,  counselling  submis- 
sion, the  former  declaring  independence,  and  so  Mecklen- 
burg became  the  leader  of  the  land." 

Amiong  the  notable  celebrities  of  Mecklenburg  county 
was  Susan  Smart — nee  Barnett — remarkable  for  her  great 
age  and  her  accurate  and  vivid  recollections  of  the  events 
of  the  Revolution.  Her  father  was  John  Barnett,  who 
imigrated  from  Ireland,  and  who  married  Ann,  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  Spratt,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  county. 


MECKLKNEURG   COUNTY.  5I 

Thomas  Spratt  was  the  first  who  crossed  the  Yadkin  river 
with  a  wag-on ;  and  tiie  first  court  ever  held  in  Mecklenburg 
county  was  convened  at  his  house.  Susan  Barnett  was 
born  in  1761,  and  her  sister  Mary  was  the  first  white  child 
born  between  the  two  rivers,  the  Catawba  and  the  Yadkin. 
She  married  Capt.  Thomas  Jack,  who  has  been  previously 
spoken  of.  Capt.  Jack  was  the  bearer  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  of  May  20,  1775,  to  the  Continental  Congress 
at  Philadelphia.  Mrs.  Smart  was  present  at  Charlotte  on 
this  glorious  occasion,  and  many  persons  now  living-  have 
listened  with  great  pleasure  to  her  glowing  and  graphic 
accoimts  of  the  enthusiasm  which  perv^aded  the  whole  com- 
munity. It  was  truly  a  day  of  "throwing  up  of  hats," 
many  of  which  she  stated,  fell  on  the  roof  of  the  court  house. 
Miss  Susan  Barnett  married  in  1775,  Georg'e  W.  Smart, 
who  died  in  May,  1809.  The  house  she  occupied  was  built 
by  him.  She  had  always  been  in  the  habit  of  entertaining 
travelers,  as  she  lived  on  the  public  road.  William  H. 
Crawford  always  stopped  at  her  house  on  his  way  to  and 
from  Washing-ton,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  her.  She 
used  to  say,  "I  have  rarely  been  from  home,  but  I  have 
known  well  two  of  our  Presidents,  Andrew  Jackson  and 
James  K.  Polk.  Little  Jimmy  Polk  used  to  pass  along-  this 
road  often  to  school,  barefooted,  with  his  breeches  rolled 
up  to  his  knees.  He  was  a  mighty  bashful  little  fellow." 
Georg-e  W.  Smart  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  in 
i8o4-'5-'6,  served  three  terms,  and  had  for  his  colleag-ues 
Gen.  George  Graham  and  Judge  Samuel  Lowrie.  Meck- 
lenburg had  giants  in  those  days. 


The  Wa^r  q/ 1812-1814. 

The  war  between  England  and  the  United  States  was 
caused  by  English  sailors  deserting  their  vessels  and  ap- 
plying for  positions  ini  America's  merchantmen.  The 
English  Government  claimed  the  right  to  search  American 
ships  for  their  deserters.  This  was  resisted,  and  war  re- 
sulted, which  lasted  till  the  8th  of  January,  1815,  when 
Jackson  won  his  signal  victory  at  New  Orleans.  This  is  not 
the  time  or  place  to  give  history  other  than  what  pertains  to 
our  county,  but  will  run  the  risk  of  adverse  criticism. 

The  six  New  England  States  were  opposed  to  this  war, 
and  refused  to  give  either  men  or  money  to  prosecute  it ;  and 
towards  the  close  they  determined  that  if  the  government 
did  not  stop  the  war  they  zvould  secede.  (If  secession  was 
right  in  1814,  what  was  wrong  with  it  in  1861  ?)  We  wish 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  those  who  were  patriotic 
enough  to  fight  for  the  United  States,  hence  we  insert  the 
roster  of  Mecklenburg's  five  companies  that  participated  in 
the  war  of  1812-1814. 

SEVENTH   COMPANY. 

{Detached  from  the  First  Mecklenburg  Regiment.} 

Douglass,  Joseph,  Captain;  Kary,  Wm.  M.,  Lieutenant;  Walker, 
Wm.,  Ensign;  Brevard,  Hamden,  First  Sergeant;  Gibony,  David, 
Second  Sergeant;  Brown,  Samuel,  Third  Sergeant ;  Barrett,  Wm.  M., 
Fourth  Sergeant;  Allen,  Thomas,  First  Corporal:  Solon,  John,  Sec- 
ond Corporal;  Pitt,  Isaac  V.,  Third  Corporal;  Duckworth,  Robert, 
Fourth  Corporal. 

Private  Harrison,  Adam,  Todd,  Hugh, 

Wiley,  Hugh,  Elliott,  Hugh, 

Moore,   James,  .limison,  Arthur, 

Caldwell,  John,  Parish,  Nicholas, 

Hood,  Junius,  Walker,  Andrew, 

Alexander,  David,  Rod  en,  Upton, 

Parker,  James,  Wilson,  David  B., 

Wallace,  Matthew,  Love,  Joseph, 

McRea,  Thomas,  Cunningham,  Jacob  I., 

•  Phillips,  John,  Harris,  Hugh. 

Farr,  Henry,  Alexander,  Eli, 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


53 


Johnston,   Mitchell, 
Lucas,  Allen, 
Downy,  William, 
Graham,  Samuel, 
Bushbey,  Will.. 
Shepherd,  Thomas, 
Lane,  Andrew  M., 
Worsham,  Alexander, 
Weir,  Howard, 
Sullivan,  William, 
Beaty,  Isaac, 
Bingham,  Joseph, 
Sharply,    William, 
Greggs,  Hugh, 
Erwin,  Francis, 
Mason  Richard, 
Elliott,  John  B., 
Darnell,  John  L., 
Cameron,   William, 
Hutchison,  Samuel  J., 
Clark,  Joshua, 
Hutchison,   James, 


McLure,  John, 
Darnell,  John., 
Thompson,  Benjamin, 
Moore,  Alexander, 
Smith,  Alexander, 
Darnell,  William, 
Darnell,    David, 
Sloan,  Allen, 
Fat,    John, 
Ferret,  John, 
Henderson,  David, 
Garreston,  Arthur, 
Robertson,  Will., 
Summimer,  James, 
Solomon,  Drury, 
Holmes,  Hugh, 

McLilie, , 

Stevenson,  Hugh, 
Munteeth,    William, 
Scott,  Will. 
Alexander,  Palan. — 76. 


EIGHTH    COIMPANY. 

{Detached  from  the  Second  Mecklenburg  Regiment.) 

Wood,  Robert.  Captain;  Shever,  Jacob,  Lieutenant;  Mape,  Peter. 
Second  Lieutenant;  Wilson,  John,  Ensign;  Flenigan,  William,  First 
Sergeant;  Hooker,  .John,  Second  Sergeant;  Barns,  John,  Third  Ser- 
geant; Watson,  .Tames,  Fourth  Sergeant;  Hammons,  John,  First 
Corporal;  Dafter,  Obed,  Second  Corporal;  John,  Will,  Third  Cor- 
poral; Hart,  Charles,  Fourth  Corporal;  Stewart,  Allen,  Drummer; 
Rice,  John,  Fifer. 


Private  Walker,  James, 
Brown,  John, 
Flenigan,  Robert, 
Sharp,  William, 
Flenigan,  Elias, 
Cheek,  Randolph, 
Flanigan,  Samuel  E., 
McCallok,  Elias, 
Stewart.   W.    Andrew, 
Wiley,  Samuel, 
John,  Ash, 
Sharp,   Cunningham. 
Wiatt,   John, 
Black,  John, 
Benbow,  Paten, 
Bryan,   Joseph, 
Purvis,  Antheris. 
Clontz,  Henry. 
Crowell.  Charles, 
Cuthbertson,  John, 
Lemmon,  Wm.  L., 


Flow,  John, 
Starns,  Jacob, 
Bold,  Robert, 
McLoyd,  Daniel, 
McReley,  Roderick, 
Stunford.  Moses, 
Broom,    Allen, 
Lancey.  Charles, 
None,  John, 
Belk,  Brelon, 
Holden,  Samuel, 
Prifley,  Valentine, 
Flenigan.  Michael, 
Moser,  Henry, 
Coughran,  Eli, 
Robei-tson,  James, 
Redford,  William, 
Shanon,  Robert. 
Barns,  William, 
Morris,  Solomon, 
Pirant,   William. 


54 


HISTORY    OF 


Pool.  William, 
-—  Jesse  Yandles, 
Rea,  Will, 
Henley,  Thomas, 
Ormand,  Samuel, 
Fobes,  John, 
Ormand,  Adam, 
Howai-d,  Lewis, 


McCorcle,  John, 
Levey,  Will  M., 
Thompson,  James, 
Long,  John, 
Miller,  Thomas, 
Givens,  Samuel, 
Martin,   William.— 71. 


NINTH    COMPANY. 


(Detached  from  the  Second  Mecklenburg  Regiment.') 

Qarretson,  John,  Captain;  Wiley,  Isaac,  Lieutenant ;  Sims,  Nathan- 
iel, Ensign:  Lawyer,  Archibald,  First  Sergeant;  Dixon,  Ire.  B.,  /Sec- 
ond Sergeant;  Smith,  William,  Third  Sergeant;  Kimmons  Joro, 
Fourth  Sergeant;  Mays,  William,  First  Corporal;  Holbrooks,  John, 
Second  Corporal;  Kiser,  Frederick,  Third  Corporal;  Grady,  Andrew 
il.,Fourt7i  Corporal;  Kenty,  George,  Drummer;  J slcoout,  John,  Fifer. 


Priyate  Irwin,  John, 

Harris,  Samuel  H., 
Ross,  James, 
Harris,  Houston, 
Alexander,  John, 
Harris,  Isaac, 
Alexander,  Laird, 
Campbell,  Cyrus, 
Cochran,  Robert  M., 
Morrison,   John, 
Morrison,  Robert  C, 
McCain,    Hugh, 
Bost,    Daniel, 
House,   Jacob, 
Miller,  Henry, 
Rinehart,  Jacob, 
Rowe,  Henry, 
Bost,  Michael, 
Light,  John, 
Carrigan,  Robert,  Sr., 
Carrigan,  Robert,  Jr., 
Gayler,   Theophilus, 
Carrell,  John, 
Hamilton,  Joseph, 
Houston,  David, 
iNeels,  Andrew, 
Neele,  James, 
Flemming,   George, 
Icehour,    Martin, 
Dove,  George, 
Smith,  William, 
Linker,  George, 


Smith,  Daniel, 
Barnhard,  John, 
Fink,  Son, 
Carriher,  Andrew, 
P1nk,   Phillip, 
Taylous,   John   S., 
Johnston,  John, 
Johnston,  Rufus, 
Black,  David  H., 
Black,  John, 
Biggers,    Johnston   N. 
Newitt,   William, 
Right,  George, 
Gilmore,  Josiah, 
Martin,    Edward, 
Kelley,  William, 
Wines,   William, 
Keelough,  Ebenezer, 
Hall,    James, 
Gaugus,  Jacob, 
Goodnight,  John, 
Adam,  Freeze, 
Fereland,  John, 
Click,   John, 
Chapie,  Jesse, 
Sneed,  Keuben, 
Goodman,  John. 
McGraw,  James, 
Walter,  Charles, 
Shank,  Martin, 
Luther,  Daniel, 
Simmon,  Jacob. — 78. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


55 


MUSTKR  BOLL. 

Of  the  Detached  Militia,  Organized  in  August,  JSl/f. 
Montford  Stokes,  Major-Oeneral;  Jeremiah  Slade  and  J.  A.  Pear- 
son, Brigadier-Generals. 

MECKLENBURG    COUNTY    TROOPS — FIRST    REGIMENT. 

Wilson,  James,  Captain;  Boyd,  Thomas,  Esq.,  First  Lieutenant; 
Blacwood,  Joseph,  Second  Lieutenant ;  Price,  Isaac,  Third  Lieuten- 
ant; Hutchison,  Charles,  Ensign. 


PriTate  Carson,  William, 
Winens,  John, 
Garner,  Bazilla, 
McCombs,  James, 
Bamett,   John, 
McKelvia,  William, 
Hawkins,  John, 
Barnett,    Amos, 
Alexander,  Ezekiel, 
Shelvey,  William, 
Harrison,  John  C, 
Means,  James, 
Hope,  Thomas, 
Caldwell,  Robert, 
Price,  John, 
Parkes,  John,  Sen., 
.Johnston,  Samuel,  Jr., 
Wallis,  William,  jr., 
Wallis,  Matthew,  Jr., 
Parks,  Samuel, 
CaldweL,  Robert,  Jr., 
Wynns,  Ann, 
Sadler,  John, 
Barnhill,  John, 
Julin,  Jacob, 
Henderson,   James, 
Love,  Christopher, 
McCracken,  Elisha, 
Dunn,  Robert,  Jr., 
Parish,  Andrew  M., 
Dunn,    William, 
Lewing,  Andrew,  Jr., 
Perry,  Francis, 
Farra,  John, 
Lewing,  John, 
Carothers,  James, 
Dinkins,  James, 
Bingham,  Robert,  Jr., 
Johnston,  John, 
Johnston,  William, 
'Neely,  Samuel, 
Reed,  David, 
Whitesides,  Joseph, 
Miles,  Augustus, 


West,  Matthew, 
Connel,  Thomas, 
Benhill.  William, 
McKnight,  Robert, 
Michael,  Baker, 
Baker,  Abei, 
McDowell,  Hugh, 
Kerr,    William, 
Foard,  John, 
Baker,  Aaron, 
Walker,  Andrew, 
Porter,  James, 
Beaty,    John, 
oigham,  Samuel, 
Pelt.  Simon  \ ., 
Beaty,  John, 
Jackson,   Peavon, 
Blackburn,  John, 
Wilson,  John,   Jr., 
Brown.   John, 
Norman,  Wm.  S., 
Baxter,  Daniel, 
Wilson,  Benjamin, 
Elliott,  Thomas, 
Conner,    James, 
Davis,  Daniel, 
Elliotr,  William, 
Hartly,  Richard, 
jjuckworth,  GTeorge, 
Meek,  James, 
Alexander,  James, 
Jones,  Joel, 
Sloan,  James, 
Morrison,  Isaac,  Jr., 
Parker,  John, 
Mentith,  James, 
Williams,  Joseph, 
Prim,  Andrew, 
Osborne,  Robert  A., 
White,  John, 
Chanels,  Michael, 
Steel,  John, 
McKellerand,  Joseph, 
Goforth,  George, 


56 


HISTORY    OF 


Alexander,  John  D., 
Ferrell,  Gabriel, 
Irwin,  Giles, 
Ferrell,  John, 
Wallis,  Joseph, 
Hunter,  Henry,  Jr., 


Ferrell,  William, 
Steel,  James, 
Gray,  Nelson, 
Montgomery,  Robert, 
Peoples,  Richard, 
Braddy,  james  A. — 105. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY — SECOND  BEGIMENT. 

Moore,  David.  Captain;  Wilson,  John,  First  Lieutenant:  Reed, 
Solomon,  Second  Lieutenant;  Williams,  John,  Third  Lieutenant; 
Alexander,  Albertes,  Ensign. 


Private  Barfleet,  Richard, 
McCall,  Matthew, 
McCall,  James, 
Thompson,  Henry, 
Stewart,  Alexander, 
Cherry,  William, 
Robertson,  James, 
Yandles,  Samuel, 
Harbeson,  James, 
Shelbey,  William, 
Freeman,  Gideon, 
Morrison,  John, 
Allen,  John, 
Forsythe.  John, 
Barnes,  James, 
Purser,  Moses, 
Barns,  Micajah, 
Wilkinson,  Osburn, 
Allen,  Robert, 
Vinsent,  Groves, 
Helmes,  William, 
Helmes,  Charles, 
Stams,  Frederic, 
Starns,  Nathaniel, 
Shehorn,  Morris, 
Yerby,  William, 
Rone,  James, 
Belk,  John, 
Rich,  Daniel, 
Junderbusk,  John, 
Flowers,  Henry, 
Ya,ndles,  David  B., 
Alexander,  Salamacnus, 
Alexander,  Abdon, 
Smart,    Osburn, 
Smart,  Elisha, 
McCulIock,  John, 
Cook,  Robert, 
Hanson,  Steven, 
Craig,  Moses, 
McCoy,  William, 
Howard,  Robert, 
Woodall,  vVilliam, 


Gray,  Jacob, 
Howie,  Aaron, 
King,  Andrew, 
jb'insher,  Joshua, 
Rape,  Samuel, 
Rener,  Samuel, 
HamDleton,   James, 
Vick,  Moses, 
Phillips,  John, 
Train,  James, 
Berns,  George, 
Fisher,  William, 
Button,  Daniel, 
McAlroy,  Hugh, 
Ivey,   Jesse, 
Hanley,  John, 
Spravey,  Benjamin, 
Reed,  Joseph, 
Karr,  Aaam, 
Matthews,  john. 
Parks,  George, 
Reed,  William, 
Downs,  William, 
Taylor,  "Wilson, 
Maglauchlin,  Joseph, 
Maygeehee,  William, 
Hargett,  Henry, 
Hargett,   William, 
Helmer,  Joel, 
Crowell,  John, 
Chainey,  Peter, 
Harkey,  David, 
Tuter,  George, 
Stilwell,  Elias, 
Morrison,  James, 
Harkey,  John, 
Rogers,  James, 
Harrison,  Robert, 
Hodge,  John, 
Lambert,  Richard, 
fa.tory,  David  W., 
Tomberlin,  Moses, 
Reak,  Edward, 


MI'CKIvKNBURG    COUNTY.  57 

Morrison,  Neel,  Dennis,  Charles, 

Costley,  James,  Neel,  Samuel, 

Cochran,  Thomas  S.,  Fuller,  John, 

Houston,  Wm.,  Jr.,  — ~  Shaw,  James, 

Cochran,   Robert,  Webb,  Lewis, 

Wilson,    Hugh,  Story,  James,  Sen. — 105 
Hood,  Reuben, 

The  younger  clas.s  of  those  who  may  see  proper  to  pertise 
this  History  of  Mecklenburg-,  cannot  but  see  that  this 
glorious  county  has  always  done  her  duty  when  the  honor 
of  the  country  Avas  assailed,  or  our  liberties  were  in  jeop- 
ardy. She  promptly  sent  forward  425  men,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  strife  till  the  war  closed  at  New  Orieans,  more 
than  two  weeks  after  peace  was  made.  Neither  steam  nor 
electricity  had  then  been  harnessed  for  the  civilization  of 
this  country.  We  were  then  but  getting  started  in  the  race 
of  nations. 


The  Members  of  the  GeneraLl  Assembly  Fronn 
1777  to  1902,  Inclusive,  and  Time  of  Service. 

YEARS.        SENATE.  HOUSE. 

1777. .  Jno.  McK.  Alexander. .  .Martin  Phifer,  Waightstill  Arery. 

1778.  .Robt.  Irwin Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1779.  .Robt.  Irwin Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1780.  .Robt.  Irwin Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1781.. Robt.  Irwin Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1782.  .Robt.  Irwin Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1783.  .Robt.  Irwin Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1784.  .James  Harris Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 

1785.  .James  Hari-is Caleb  Phifer,  George  Alexander. 

1786.  .James  Mitchell Caleb  Phifer,  George  Alexander. 

1787.  .Robt.  Irwin William  Polk,  Caleb  Phifer. 

1788.  .Joseph  Graham Joseph  Douglas,  Caleb  Phifer. 

1789.  .Joseph  Graham Geo.  Alexander,  Caleb  Phifer. 

1790.  .Joseph  Graham Robert  Irwin,  William  Polk. 

1791.  .Joseph  Graham Caleb  Phifer,  William  Polk. 

1792.  .Joseph  Graham Caleb  Phifer,  Jas.  Harris. 

1793.  .Joseph  Graham Charles  Polk,  Geo.  Graham. 

1794.  Joseph  Graham Charles  Polk,  Geo.  Graham. 

1795.  .Robt.  Irwin Charles  Polk,  Geo.  Graham. 

1796.  .Geo.  Graham David  McKee,  William  Morrison. 

1797.  .Robt.  Irwin James  Connor,  Nathaniel  Alexander. 

1798.  .Robt.  Irwin James  Connor,  Hugh  Parker. 

1799.  .Robt,  Irwin James  Connor,  Sherrod  Gray. 

1800. .  Robt.  Irwin Charles  Polk,  Hugh  Parker. 

1801.  .Nathaniel  Alexander  . .  .Charles  Polk,  Alexander  Morrison. 

1802.  .Nathaniel  Alexander  ..  .Thos.  Henderson,  Alexander   Morri- 

son. 

1803.  .Geo.  Graham Thos.  Henderson,  Alexander   Morr 

son. 

1804.  .Geo.  Graham Samuel  Lowrie,  Thomas  Henderson. 

1805.  .Geo.  Graham Samuel  Lowrie,  Geo.  W.  Smart. 

1806.  .Geo.  Graham Samuel  Lowrie,  Thomas  Henderson. 

1807.  .Geo.  Graham John  Harris,  Thomas  Henderson. 

1808.  .Geo.  Graham John  Harris,  Geo.  W.  Smart. 

1809.  .Geo.  Graham Thomas  Henderson,  Hutchins  G.  Bur- 

ton. 


MKCKI.KN^BURG    COUNTY.  59 

YEARS.  SENATE.  HOUSE. 

1810.  .Geo.  Graham Thomas  Henderson,  Hutchins  G.  Bur- 

ton. 

1811.  .Geo.  Graham Jonathan  Harris,  Henry  Massey. 

1812.  .Geo.  Graham Jonathan  Harris,  Henry  Massey. 

1813.  .William  Davidson Cunningham  Harris,  Jonathan  Har- 

ris. 

1814.  .Jonathan  Harris William  Beattie,  Geo.  Hampton. 

1815.  .William  Davidson John  Ray,  Abdon  Alexander. 

1816.  .William  Davidson Joab  Alexander,  John  Wilson. 

1817. .  William  Davidson John  Rhea,  Jno.  Wilson. 

1818.  .William  L.  Davidson  .  .  .John  Rhea,  Jno.  Wilson. 

1819.  .Michael  McL,eary   John  Rhea,  Miles  J.  Robinson. 

1820.  .Michael  Mclyeary   John  Rhea,  Miles  J.  Robinson. 

1821.  .Michael  McLeary    John  Rhea,  Samuel  McCombs. 

1822.  .Michael  McLeary   John  Rhea,  Matthew  Baine. 

1823.  .Michael  McLeary Thomas  G.  Polk,  Matthew  Baine. 

1824.  .Michael  McLeary    Thomas  G.  Polk,  Matthew  Baine. 

1825.  .William  Davidson Thomas  G.  Polk,  Matthew  Baine. 

1826.  .Michael  McLeary    Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Matthew  Baine. 

1827.  .William  Davidson Wm.    J.    Alexander,    Joseph    Black- 

wood. 
1828.. William  Davidson Wm.    J.    Alexander,    Joseph    Black- 
wood. 

1829.  .William  Davidson     Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Evan  Alexander. 

1830.  .Joseph  Blackwood Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Evan  Alexander. 

1831.. Henry  Massey     James  Dougherty,  Jno.  Harte. 

1832.  .Henry  Massey James  Dougherty,  Jno.  Harte. 

1833.  .Washington  Morrison..  .Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Andrew  Grier. 

1834.  .Wm.  H.  McLeary Wm.  J.  Alexander,  J.  M.  Hutchison. 

1835.  .Stephen  Fox J.  A.  Dunn,  J.  M.  Hutchison. 

1836. .  Stephen  Fox  J.  A.  Dunn,  J.  M.  Hutchison,  G.  W. 

Caldwell. 
1838.  .Stephen  Fox G.  W.  Caldwell, "^Jas.  T.  J.  Orr,  Caleb 

Erwin. 
1840.. J.  T.  R.  Orr G.  W.   Caldwell,  Jno.  Walker,  Benj. 

Morrow. 
1842.  .Jno.  Walker Jno.  Kirk,  Jas.   W.  Ross,    Caleb  Er- 
win. 
1844.  .Jno.  Walker Robt.   Lemmons,    J.    A.   Dunn,    Jno. 

Kirk. 
1846.  .Jno.  Walker Jno.  W.  Potts,  Jno.  N.  Davis,  Robt. 

Lemmons. 
1848.  .Jno.  Walker J.    K.    Harrison,    J.    M.    Davis,  J.   J. 

Williams. 


6o 


HISTORY  OF 


YBARS.        SENATE.  HOUSE. 

1850.. Green  W.  Caldwell Jno.  K.  Harrison.  J.  J.  Williams,  E. 

Constantine  Davidson. 

1852.  .Green  W.  Caldwell W.  Black,  J.  A.  Dunn,  J.  Ingram. 

1854.  .Jno.  Walker W.  R.  Myers,  W.  Black. 

1856.  .W.  R.  Myers W.  Matthews,  W.  F.  Davidson. 

1858.   Wm.  F.  Davidson H.  M.  Pritchard,  W.  Wallace. 

1860.  .Jno.  Walker S.  W.  Davis,  J.  M.  Potts. 

1862.  .Jno.  A.  Young  J.  L.  Brown,  E.  C.  Grier. 

1864.  .W.  M.  Grier J.  L.  Brown,  E.  C.  Grier. 

1866.  .J.  H.  Wilson R.  D.  Whitley,  J.  M.  Hutchison. 

1868. .  Jas.  W.  Osborne R.  D.  Whitley,  W.  M.  Grier. 

1870.  .H.  C.  Jones R.  P.  Waring,  J.  W.  Reid. 

1872.  .R.  P.  Waring Jno.  E.  Brown,  S.  W.  Reid. 

1873.  .R.  P.  Waring Jno.  E.  Brown,  S.  W.  Reid. 

1874.  .R.  P.  Waring Jno.  E.  Brown,  S.  W.  Reid. 

1875.  .R.  P.  Waring. J.  E.  Jetton,  J.  Sol.  Reid. 

1877.  .T.  J.  Moore Randolph  A.  Shotwell,  W.  E.  Ardrey. 

1879.  .S.  B.  Alexander W.  E.  Ardrey,  J.  E.  Brown. 

1881 . .  A.  Burwell A.  G.  Neal,  E.  H.  Walker. 

1883.. S.  B.  Alexander J.  S.  Myers,  T.  T.   Sandifer,  W.  H. 

Bailey. 
1885.. S.  B.  Alexander W.    E.    Ardrey,  H.    D.    vStowe,  R.  P. 

Warring. 
1887.. S.  B.  Alexander J.    T.    Kell,    J.  W.   Moore,    E.  K.  P. 

Osborne. 
1889..  J.  Sol  Reid N.   Gibbon,    J.    Watt   Hood,   Jas,    C. 

Eong. 
1891.. W.  E.  Ardrey R.    A.    Grier,    J.    Watt  Hood,  W.   D. 

Mayes. 
1893.  .F.  B.  McDowell   Jno.  R.  Erwin,  Hugh  W.Harris,  J.  L. 

Jetton. 
1895.  .W.  C.  Dowd J.  T.  Kell,  J.  D.  McCall,  Jno.  G.  Alex- 
ander. 
1897.  .J.  B.  Alexander M.  B.  Williamson,  W.  S.  Clanton,  W. 

P.  Craven. 
1899.  .F.  I.  Osborne Heriot  Clarkson,  R.  M.  Ransom,  J.  E. 

Henderson. 
1901.. S.  B.  Alexander C.   H.    Duls,    W.    E.   Ardrey,    F.    M. 

Shannonhouse. 


T3he    County    Officers    a-nd    the    Time    They 
Served. 

SHERIFFS  OF  MECKLENBURG  COUNTY. 

Thomas  Harris  was  the  first  sheriff  of  Mecklenburg. 
How  long  he  serv^ecl  cannot  be  positively  stated,  as  the  books 
were  not  kept  accurately  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  following  list  is  probably  the  best  that  can  be  given : 

Thomas  Harris  was  appointed  sheriff  "in  good  old  colony 
times,  when  we  lived  under  the  king,"  just  at  what  date  we 
cannot  say,  but  he  performed  the  duties  of  the  office  before 
1774,  and  for  some  time  afterwards. 

James  White,  Esq.,  was  elected  sheriff  in  July,  1779,  by 
the  County  Court,  which  was  composed  of  twelve  magis- 
trates. They  required  a  bond  of  $2,000,  to  be  given  once 
a  year. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  constituted  the  court : 
Abraham  Alexander,  Hezekiah  Alexander,  David  Reese, 
John  McKnitt  Alexander,  Edward  Giles,  Robert  Irwin, 
John  Ford,  Adam  Alexander,  Robert  Harris,  Robert  Har- 
ris, Jr.  These  were  present  at  the  court,  and  they  elected 
the  sheriff;  in  fact,  they  took  the  oversight  of  the  entire 
county.  There  was  ten  or  twelve  men  in  the  county  who 
appear  to  have  taken  control  over  the  courts  and  administer 
justice  as  they  deemed  right  and  proper.  They  were  cer- 
tainly wise  men,  and  did  that  which  was  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  all  the  people.  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  Thomas 
Harris  and  David  Wilson  were  appointed  by  the  court  to 
dispose  of  the  confiscated  estates  in  Mecklenburg  county — 
the  estates  of  Tories.  Money  was  depreciated  to  a  great 
extent.  The  county  Court  allowed  the  assessor  $30  per 
day  in  1779.  In  1780  and  1781,  $100  per  day.  It  was 
worth  about  $1.00  to  $100. 


62  HISTORY    OF 

Thomas  Polk  was  elected  sheriff  in  1781,  and  resigned 
in  1782. 

Major-General  Joseph  Graham  became  sheriff  of  Meck- 
lenburg county  some  time  after  the  Revolutionary  war  was 
over,  and  it  is  not  known  how;  long  he  sei-ved,  l>ut  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  he  served  only  four  or  five  years, 
for  he  was  State  Senator  from  this  county  in  1788-'!  794, 
seven  years.  (In  the  year  1814  he  received  the  strong 
solicitations  of  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina  to  command 
a  body  of  men,  with  the  rank  of  General,  to  aid  Gen.  Jack- 
son in  quelling  an  outbreak  of  the  Indians,  which  he  did  at 
the  battle  of  the  Horse  Shoe.)  He  moved  over  into  Lin- 
coln county,  where  he  engaged  in  the  iron  business. 

Sheriff  Wilson  probably  succeeded  him  for  quite  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  gave  satisfaction  to  the  people  of  the 
county. 

Col.  John  Sloan  came  next  into  office,  with  like  results; 
that  is,  satisfaction  to  the  tax  payers. 

Joseph  McCaughneyhey  ruled  as  sheriff,  with  old  "Uncle 
Billy  Todd''  as  deputy,  for  a  number  of  years.  We  can  be 
more  particular  in  recent  dates. 

Thomas  N,  Alexander,  from.  1838  to  1854. 

E.  C.  Grier,  from  1854  to  i860. 

W.  W.  Grier,  from  i860  to  1862. 

R.  M.  White,  from  1862  to  1872. 

M.  E.  Alexander,  from  1872  to  1884. 

L.  A.  Potts,  from  1884  to  1885  (died). 

\\'.  F.  Griffith,  from  1885  to  1886. 

T.  S.  Cooper,  from  1886  to  1888. 

Z.  T.  Smith,  from  1888  to  1898. 

N.  W.  Wallis,  1898. 

The  people  of  Mecklenburg  county  have  reason  to  be 
proud  of  their  chief  executive  officers  for  more  than  one 
hundred  years.  Every  one  has  gone  out  of  office  doubly 
as  strong  as  he  entered  on  his  duties. 


mb:cki,enburg  county.  63 

county  treasurers. 

Prior  to  the  year  1868,  the  duties  of  taking  care  of  and 
disbursing  the  money  of  the  county  devolved  upon  the 
sheriff,  or  some  one  appointed  by  the  old  County  Court, 
which  never  ceased  until  the  rights  of  the  county,  with  those 
of  the  State,  were  denied  the  people,  when  the  government 
was  torn  up  by  the  roots  in  1865,  then  everything  was 
changed. 

Then  they  elected  their  first  county  treasurer,  and  it  would 
be  only  justice  to  say  the  county  never  did  herself  more 
honor  than  when  S.  E.  Belk  was  put  in  charge  of  the  finances 
of  the  county. 

The  first  treasurer  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  with  Mexico 
in  1846  and  1847.  He  came  out  of  the  war  with  a  clean 
record  and  stood  well  with  the  people.  In  1861  he  volun- 
teered in  the  Confederate  army,  was  elected  Captain  of  a 
company  from  Mecklenburg  county  and  assigned  to  the 
Fifty-third  Regiment,  North  Carolina  Troops,  where  he  ac- 
quitted himself  most  gallantly.  Towards  the  close  of  the 
war  Capt,  Belk  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  an  arm  at  the 
shoulder,  from  which  woinid  he  suffered  a  great  deal,  and 
at  times  would  become  irritable,  for  which  he  would  apolc^- 
gize  most  humbly. 

Capt.  S.  E.  Belk.  from  1868  to  1884. 

J.  H.  McClintock,  from  1884  to  1894. 

E.  H.  Walker,  from  1894.    He  is  still  in  office. 

J.  H.  McClintock  served  for  ten  years  and,  like  his  prede- 
cessor, fought  in  the  Confederate  army  till  he  lost  an  arm 
in  the  service  of  his  country.  He  went  to  school,  gradu- 
ated at  Davidson,  then  taught  school,  and  served  his  coim- 
try  in  whatever  way  the  county  desired  his  services. 

REGISTER  OE  DEEDS. 

The  office  of  Register  of  Deeds  was  probably  the  first  of- 
fice ever  established  in  Mecklenburg  county.     We   see  it 


6:4  HISTORY   OF 

stated  in  the  court  house  records  that  Robert  Harris  was  ap- 
pointed in  1763,  in  the  year  when  Mecklenburg  county  was 
legally  set  apart  from  Anson.  The  county  was  recognized, 
the  meets  and  bounds  declared  by  the  surveyor  in  1762, 
but  not  confirmed  by  the  authority  of  the  colony  of  North 
Carolina  until  1763,  when  the  machinery  of  the  county  was 
put  in  motion.     Hence  we  find  that — 

Robert  Harris  was  appointed  in  1763 ;  served  till  1792. 

John  McKnitt  Alexander,  from  1792  to  1808. 

Wm.  B.  Alexander,  from  1808  to  1836. 

The  next  four  years  were  filled  by  the  sheriff. 

F.  M.  Ross,  elected,  1840  to  1870. 

Wm.  Maxwell,  from  1870  to  1884. 

J.  W.  Cobb,  from  1884  to  1898. 

A.  M.  McDonald,  from  1898;  continues  in  office. 

The  seven  men  who  have  held  the  office  of  Register  of 
Deeds  for  one  hundred  and  forty-five  years  show  plainly  that 
patriots  indeed  had  the  oversight  of  all  that  pertained  to  the 
welfare  of  the  county.  The  men  who  have  exercised  the 
functions  of  office  for  the  last  fifty  years,  were  equal  in 
point  of  integrity  to  any  men  in  any  period  of  the  county's 
history.  Mecklenburg  is  exceedingly  fortunate  in  always 
being  able  to  furnish  men  capable  to  fill  any  position  with 
honor  to  themselves  and  credit  to  their  county.  May  she 
ever  be  so  fortunate. 

CLERKS  OF  THE  COUNTY  COURTS. 

The  system  of  keeping  the  records  of  court  previous  to 
1836,  makes  it  very  difficult  to  know  for  a  certainty  who 
was  clerk  of  court  at  a  given  time;  hence  the  clerks  of  the 
County  Court  will  be  given  only  from  1836: 

Mr.  Brawley  Oates  served  from  1836  to  1842. 

Charles  T.  Alexander  from  1842  to  1845. 

Brawley  Oates,  from  1845  to  1854. 

W.  K.  Reid,  from  1854  to  1862. 

Wm.  Maxwell,  from  1862  to  1868. 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  65 

After  this  date  the  old  county  Court,  known  as  the  Peo- 
ples' Court,  was  done  away  with  by  the  order  of  Gen. 
Canby,  the  Yankee  general  who  happened  to  be  in  com- 
mand at  the  time,  although  his  headquarters  were  in  Charles- 
ton, S.  C.  All  the  duties  of  this  court  were  merged  into 
the  Superior  Court.  Soon  the  docket  was  so  large  we  had 
an  Inferior  Court  established  to  try  the  smaller  cases.  Then 
afterwards  the  Criminal  Court  was  inaugurated.  Now  we 
have  these  two  courts  in  the  county. 

SUPERIOR    COURT    CLERKS. 

Jennings  B.  Kerr  served  from  1842  to  1865. 

Mortimer  D.  Johnston,  from  1865  to  1866. 

E.  A.  Osborne,  from  1866  to  1875. 

John  R.  Erwin,  from  1875  to  1886. 

J.  M.  Morrow,  from  1886  to  1899. 

J.  A.  Russel,  from  1899;  still  in  office. 

The  county  is  to  be  congratulated  on  her  long  line  of  good 
men  for  clerks.  In  all  the  multiplicity  of  clerks  and  other 
county  officials  since  the  county  was  first  formed,  we  have 
had  none  but  the  best  of  men.  Every  officer  has  rendered  a 
satisfactory  account  of  his  stewardship. 


Rev.  Alexander  Craighead. 

Mr.  Craighead  came  to  America  in  a  time  that  was  auspi- 
cious for  the  work  that  the  march  of  events  was  marking-  out 
for  him  to  engage  in.  From  the  most  reliable  authority  we 
are  led  to  date  Mr.  Craighead's  admission  into  the  ministry 
in  1736.  He  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  possessed  in  a  large 
degree  the  characteristics  that  are  peculiar  to  the  Irish  peo- 
ple. Being  an  exceedingly  zealous  man,  of  an  ardent  tem- 
peraiment,  devoted  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  was  noted 
for  preaching  sermons  peculiarly  calculated  to  awaken 
careless  sinners.  He  was  accused  of  irregularities  before 
his  Presbytery  in  1740.  No  immoralities  were  alleged 
against  him,  or  false  doctrines  dharged  on  him;  the  com- 
plaint was  against  various  proceedings  thought  to  be  irregu- 
lar. Ttie  Presbytery  was  unable  to  make  any  conclusion 
of  the  matter,  for  while  the  majority  were  against  him,  his 
vehement  appeals  to  the  public  turned  the  sympathy  of  the 
community  in  his  favor.  The  charge  of  irregularity  he  re- 
butted by  the  recriminating  charge  of  Pharisaism,  coldness 
nijd  formality,  and  in  the  ardor  of  his  defence  he  was  not 
veiy  measured  in  his  epithets  and  comparisons.  Probably 
the  principal  cause  of  the  disagreement  was  Mr.  Craighead 
was  oipposed  to  British  rule,  opposed  to  one  church  having 
advantages  over  another.  He  believed  in  a  separation  0"f 
Church  and  State.  About  this  time  he  was  directed  by  the 
Presbytery  in  Cumberland,  January,  1758,  to  preadh  at 
Rocky  River,  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  February,  and  at 
other  vacant  churches  till  Spring. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  in  April,  a  call  from 
Rocky  River  was  presented  for  the  services  of  Mr.  Craig- 
head. He  accepted  the  call  and  requested  installation, 
which  was  attended  to  soon  afterwards.  It  appears  that 
this  was  the  first  c'hurch  established  in  the  upper  country. 

"In  this  beautiful,  fertile  and  peaceful  country,  Mr.  Craig- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY,  67 

head  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the  active  duties  of 
a  frontier  minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  ended  'his  successful 
labors  in  his  Master's  vineyard  in  the  month  of  March, 
1766,  the  solitary  minister  between  the  Yadkin  and  Ca- 
tawba. In  this  retired  country,  too,  he  found  full  and  un- 
disturbed exercise  for  that  ardent  love  of  personal  liberty 
and  freedom  of  opinion  which  had  rendered  him  obnoxious 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  in  some  measure  restrained  in 
Virginia.  He  was  ahead  oi  'his  ministerial  brethren  in 
Pennsylvania  in  his  views  oi  civil  governmeriit  and  religious 
liberty,  and  became  particularly  offensive  to  the  governor 
for  a  pamphlet  of  a  political  nature,  the  authorship  of  which 
was  attributed  to  him.  The  Synod  disavowed  both  the 
pamphlet  and  Mr.  Craighead,  and  agreed  with  the  justice 
that  it  was  calculated  to  forment  disloyal  and  rebellious 
practices,  and  disseminate  principles  of  disaffection. 

In  Carolina  he  found  a  people  remote  from  the  seat  of  au- 
thority, among  them  the  intolerant  laws  were  a  dead  letter, 
so  far  divided  from  other  congregations,  even  of  his  own 
faith,  that  there  could  be  no  collision  with  'him  on  account  of 
faith  or  practice;  so  united  in  their  general  principles  of  re- 
ligion and  church  government  that  he  was  the  teacher  of 
the  whoile  population,  and  here  his  spirit  rested.  Here  he 
passed  his  days ;  here  he  poured  forth  his  principles  oi  reli- 
gious and  civil  government,  undisturbed  by  the  jealousy  of 
the  government,  too  distant  to  be  aware  oi  his  doings,  or 
too  careless  to  be  interested  in  the  poor  and  distant  emi- 
grants on  the  Catawba.  Mr.  Craighead  had  the  privi- 
lege of  forming  the  principles,  both  civil  and  religious,  in 
no  measured  degree,  of  a  race  oi  men  that  feared  God,  and 
feared  not  labor  and  hardship,  or  the  face  oi  man;  a  race 
that  sought  for  freedom  and  property  in  the  wilderness,  and 
having  found  them,  rejoiced — a  race  capable  oi  great  ex- 
cellence, mental  and  physical,  whose  minds  could  conceive 
the  glorious  idea  of  Independence  and  whose  convention  an- 
nounced it  to  the  world  in  May,  1775,  and  whose  hands  sus- 
tained it  in  the  trying  scenes  of  the  Revolution." 


68  HISTORY   OF 

Previous  to  the  year  1750,  the  immigration  to  this  beauti- 
ful, but  distant  frontier,  was  slow  and  the  solitary  cabins 
were  found  upon  the  borders  of  prairies  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  canebreaks,  the  immense  ranges  abounding  with  wild 
game,  and  affording  sustenance  the  whole  year,  for  herds 
of  tame  cattle.  Extensive  tracts  of  country  between  the 
Yadkin  and  the  Catawba,  now  waving  with  thrifty  forests, 
then  were  covered  with  tall  grass,  with  scarcely  a  bus'h  or 
shrub,  looking  at  first  view  as  if  immense  grazing  farms 
had  been  at  once  abandoned,  the  houses  disappearing,  and 
the  abundant  grass  luxuriating  in  its  native  wildness  and 
beauty,  the  will  herds  wandering  at  pleasure,  and  nature  re"- 
joicing  in  undisturbed  quietness.  At  the  time  of  the  settle- 
ment of  Mr.  Craighead,  the  county  of  Anson  extended  in- 
definitely west,  having  been  set  off  in  1749  as  a  separate 
county.  In  the  year  1762,  the  county  of  Mecklenburg  was 
set  off  from  Anson,  and  took  its  name  in  'honor  of  the  reign- 
ing house  of  Hanover;  and  the  county  seat,  in  the  boimds 
of  Sugar  Creek  congregation,  and  about  three  miles  from 
the  church,  was  called  Charlotte,  in  honor  of  the  Princess 
Charlotte  of  Mecklenburg.  There  were  seven  congrega- 
tions in  a  short  time,  in  Mecklenburg,  except  a  part  of  Cen- 
tre, which  lay  in  Rowan — now  Iredell — and  in  their  exten- 
sive bounds  comprehended  almost  the  entire  county,  viz. : 
Steel  Creek,  Providence,  Hopewell,  Centre,  Rocky  River, 
Poplar  Tent  and  Sugar  Creek.  From  these  came  the  dele- 
gates that  fonned  the  celebrated  convention  that  met  in 
Charlotte  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775.  In  this  old  grave- 
yard of  Sugar  Creek  church,  where  Mr.  Craighead  preached 
the  most  of  his  time,  is  certainly  a  spot  of  remarkable  inter- 
est. It  was  'here  in  1 766  that  this  wonderful  man  was  given- 
sepulcher.  Borne  to  his  grave  on  two  sassafras  hand-spikes, 
and  one  placed  at  the  head  and  one  at  the  foot  of  the  grave, 
both  grew  into  large  trees;  but  in  the  course  of  time  they 
have  fallen;  they  have  been  sawed  up  into  lumber  and 
church  furniture  made  of  them.  The  grave  is  now  marked 
bv  a  neat  slab  of  marble,  with  an  iron  fence  around  the 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  69 

grave.  A  cenotaph  has  been  erected  in  the  cemetery  in 
Charlotte  to  his  memory,  but  not  one  person  in  a  thousand 
oif  those  who  visit  the  city  are  ever  told  that  such  a  man 
ever  lived,  or  see  the  monument  to  inquire  "What  does  this 
mean,  or  what  good  did  he  effect?"  We  hold  that  much 
of  the  spirit  of  Independence  that  was  exhibited  in  Char- 
lotte in  May,  1775,  was  the  result  O'f  his  teaching. 

Although  he  died  nine  years  before  this  convention  met, 
yet  his  doctrine  was  gladly  received,  and  bore  fruit  to  the 
good  of  this  people.  His  grand-son.  Rev.  S.  C.  Caldwell, 
preached  in  Sugar  Creek  from  1792  to  1826,  and  did  much 
work  in  building  up  Hopewell  and  Mallard  Creek,  organized 
and  built  up  Paw  Creek,  and  devoted  considerable  toward 
building  the  church  in  Charlotte,  although  the  church  in 
Charlotte  was  not  organized  till  1832.  Rev.  Dr.  Hall  Mor- 
rison preached  at  Sugar  Creek  for  several  years  after  Mr. 
Caldwell  died  in  1826,  and  then  in  1837  was  elected  Presi- 
dent of  Davidson  College.  The  next  minister  at  Sugar 
Creek  was  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  a  great-grand-son  of  the 
first  minister,  Mr.  Alexander  Craighead.  Who  shall  say 
that  the  covenant  of  God  is  not  visited  from  the  fathers  to 
the  children,  in  the  infinite  mercy  of  God  ?  Another  name, 
which  will  never  be  forgotten  in  Mecklenburg,  although  on 
a  very  humble  stone  in  "this  city  of  the  dead,"  is  Abra'ham 
Alexander,  the  chairman  of  the  convention  of  the  20th  of 
May,  1775.  Not  only  was  he  an  active  patriot,  but  an  ac- 
tive member  of  Sugar  Creek  church. 

A  large  number  of  the  descendants  of  Hezekiah  Alexan- 
der— a  brother  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander — still  live  in 
the  county,  but  are  not  sure  whether  their  ancestor  was 
buried  in  Sugar  Creek  or  Hopewell.  Strange  that  such 
carelessness  should  have  been  permitted,  but  such  is  the 
fact  in  every  church  yard  in  the  county.  The  posterity  of 
these  early  patriots  have  ever  been  our  best  class  of  citizens, 
as  pertaining  to  both  Church  and  State.  And  it  is  a  noted 
fact  that  no  descendant  of  a  Revolutionary  hero  bore  arms 
against  his  home,  or  took  sides  with  the  Federals  to  destroy 


7C  HISTORY   OF 

the  civilization  of  the  South.  The  blood  of  1775  continued 
to  tell  from  1 861 -'65.  People  who  were  Todes  in  the  first 
revolution  had  descendants  who  were  Tories  in  our  last.  In 
the  early  part  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  Archibald  Frew 
built  probably  the  finest  house  in  the  county.  Mr.  Frew 
was  visited  by  misfortune,  and  the  residence  passed  into 
other  hands.  Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell  became  owner  of  the 
place,  and  his  son,  R.  B.  Caldwell,  and  his  sister,  Miss  Alice, 
live  there.  The  place  now  appears  to  be  of  the  fashion  that 
was  in  vogue  three  quarters  of  a  century  ago.  Descend- 
ants of  some  of  the  old  settlers  are  still  in  the  neig'hborhood, 
viz. :  Robinsons,  Barnetts,  Alexanders,  Hendersons,  etc.  It 
was  here,  on  the  highway  that  Col.  Locke  was  killed  Septem- 
ber 26,  1780,  after  the  fight  in  Charlotte;  also'  where  Gen. 
Graham  was  severely  wounded,  and  was  taken  care  of  by 
"Aunt  Susey,"  when  quite  a  young  girl. 


.//: 

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DR.  D.  T.  CALDWELL. 


Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell. 

Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell  was  the  son'  of  that  eminent  divine, 
Rev.  S.  C.  Caldwell,  and  Abagail  Bain,  daughter  of  John 
McKnitt  Alexander.  Dr.  Caldwell  was  boirni  about  1796. 
He  was  educated  by  his  father  at  Sugar  Creek  church. 
From  there  he  went  to  the  University.  He  was  in  college 
with  President  Polk  and  other  men  who  occupied  high  posi- 
tions in  both  church  and  State;  he  graduated  about  1820. 
He  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  McKenzie,  and  after  attend- 
ing lectures  in  Philadelphia,  he  practiced  with  him.  He 
often  said  one  of  them  would  go  00  the  north  side  of  town 
one  day,  and  on  the  south  next  day.  By  this  arrangement 
each  one  would  see  all  the  cases  every  other  day.  Bleeding 
was  the  order  of  the  day,  and  if  Dr.  Caldwell  failed  to  bleed 
a  fresh  case,  he  felt  sure  Dr.  McKenzie  would  not  pass  him 
by.  Doctors  were  not  plentiful  in  those  early  days,  and  a 
man  who  was  qualified  for  the  profession  had  no  idle  time. 
Dr.  Caldwell  would  frequently  ride  out  to  his  father's  to 
get  a  night's  sleep.  In  1826  he  married  Harriet,  a  daughter 
of  Hon.  William  Davidson,  who  filled  many  offices  of  public 
trust.  Dr.  Caldwell  continued  to  do  a  large  practice  for 
many  years,  was  very  popular  and  much  respected.  Has 
now  but  three  of  his  children  living.  His  son.  Dr.  William 
D.,  died  many  years  ago.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Trans- 
Mississippi  army.  Baxter  was  in  the  army  of  Northern 
Virginia.  He  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  niever  married; 
is  an  excellent  farmer.  His  sister.  Miss  Alice,  keeps  house 
for  him.  Mrs.  S.  J.  Donald,  nee  Miss  Sarah  Jane  Cald*- 
well,  lives  in  Greensboro,  happily  situated.  Dr.  D.  T.  Cald^ 
well  lost  his  wife  in  the  terrible  epidemic  of  erysipelas  in 
1845  that  proved  a  scourge  to  the  people  of  the  northern 
part  of  the  county,  that  will  be  talked  oi  till  all  the  witnesses 
are  removed  by  death.  He  was  an  elder  in  Sugar  Creek 
church  from  an  early  period,  and  was  a  most  exemplary  man 


72  HISTORY   OF 

in  all  the  walks  of  life.  His  second  wife  was  a  Miss  Hutch- 
ison, of  Rock  Hill,  S.  C,  a  most  excellent  woman.  She  had 
but  one  daughter,  who  miarried  Mr.  Walter  Rawlinson. 
She  left  three  children  and  died  young.  Dr.  Caldwell  died 
December  25,  1861.     A  good  citizen. 


f5he  Lives  and  Pecviliarities  o/  Some  c^f  the 
Signers  o/  the  Decla-ration  of  Independence 
of  Ma.y  20,  1775. 

As  Col.  Tom  Polk  lived  ten  years  after  the  independence 
of  the  United  States  was  established,  he  entertained  Gen. 
Washington  in  1791,  in  Charlotte,  when  on  his  southern 
tour;  Avas  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  popular  citizens  of 
our  county,  his  reputation  was  cleared  of  every  stain,  and  no 
one  dared  to  calumniate  his  revolutionary  record.  He  died  in 
1793,  and  his  wife  Susannah,  who  preceded  him  many  years, 
was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  of  Charlotte  back  of  the  old 
church.  He  had  much  to  do  with  those  early  patriots  in 
securing'  independence  for  the  people  of  Mecklenburg,  and 
through  them  for  the  people  of  the  Western  world.  Suf- 
ficient credit  cannot  be  given  the  plain  people  for  the  noble 
stand  they  maintained  in  those  years  of  trial. 

MAJ.   JOHN  DAVIDSON. 

As  for  Maj.  John  Davidson,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  of  Mecklenburg,  every  one  who  knew  him 
could  attest  that  he  was  not  only  the  truest  of  patriots,  but 
one  of  the  most  devoted  of  Christians.  He  lived  to  extreme 
old  age,  far  into  the  Nineteenth  century,  lacking  but  three 
years  of  attaining  his  one  hundredth  birthday.  He  was 
born  in  Cecil,  Md.  While  but  a  small  boy  he  lost  his  father, 
and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Isabella  Ram- 
say— with  her  two  children,  John  and  Mary,  moved  to 
Rowan  county  and  purchased  a  farm.  Here  she  found  a 
fine  school  to  educate  her  children,  and  for  the  teacher  there 
was  a  mutual  attraction,  which  resulted  in  a  marriage  be- 
tween Mrs.  Davidson  and  Mr.  Henry.  When  John  became 
of  age  he  moved  to  Mecklenburg  with  his  sister  Mary,  to 
keep  house  for  him.     He  was  a  skillful  blacksmith,  and  for 


74  HISTORY   OF 

many,  many  years  followed  the  trade.  Blacksmithing  at  that 
period  was  a  lucrative  business,  and  competition  was  not 
close  as  it  g"ot  to  be  in  after  years.  He  married  an  English 
lady — Violet,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Wilson — ^who  was  a 
near  kinsman  of  Gen.  Wilson,  in  whose  veins  flowed  the 
blood  of  royalty.  Their  royal  kinsman,  Sir  Robert 
Wilson,  made  them  a  visit  once  before  the  Revolutiooary 
war,  but  never  repeated  it.  He  prospered  far  beyond 
his  compeers,  and  took  a  great  interest  in  developing  the 
iron  industry  of  the  country  after  the  war.  He  ai>- 
pears  to  have  lived  an  exemplary  Christian.  Some  inci- 
dents are  related  illustrative  of  his  character.  His  oldest 
grand-daughter  (a  noted  beauty)  married  a  distinguished 
and  wealthy  South  Carolinian,  William  Edward  Hayne. 
This  led  to  more  gay  company  in  the  old  homestead  than 
usual ;  and  sometimes  the  guests  differed  widely  from  their 
host  in  manners  and  opinions.  On  one  occasion  a  party  of 
gentlemen  who  had  adopted  the  principles  of  French  phi- 
losophy then  so  prevalent,  were  visiting  at  his  house.  Know- 
ing that  they  were  avowed  atheists,  and  believing  that  his 
father's  evening  devotions  would  only  subject  him  to  ridi- 
cule, one  of  the  younger  Davidsons  suggested  that,  for  once, 
they  be  omitted.  But  such  was  not  in  keeping  with  the  in*- 
dependent  and  conscientious  character  of  Maj.  Davidson. 
When  the  hour  for  retiring  came,  he  said  quietly,  "Gentle- 
men, it  is  always  my  custom  to  close  the  day  with  Scripture 
reading  and  prayer  in  my  family.  If  you  choose  to  be 
present,  you  are  most  welcome  to  do  so.  If  not,  you  can 
retire  to  your  own  rooms."  They  decided  to  remain,  and 
for  once  in  their  lives  listened  respectfully  on  bended  knees 
to  an  earnest  prayer  from  the  lips  of  a  very  earnest  wor- 
shipper. 

Another  grand-daughter,  a  gay  yoimg  girl  who  was  moth- 
erless and  consequently  much  at  his  house,  had  the  usual 
dislike  of  young  ladies  for  early  rising,  and  consequently 
she  was  sometimes  late  at  morning  prayers.  The  grand- 
father was  usually  very  patient,  but  at  last  administered  a 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  75 

mild  rebuke.  He  said :  "Mary,  I  hope  you  will  marry  some 
one  who  will  make  you  come  to  prayers."  The  hope  seemed 
to  be  prophecy,  for  she  married  the  Rev.  Dr.  R.  H.  Morri- 
son, who  during*  his  long  life,  was  especially  strict  in  ren 
quiring  every  member  of  his  family  to  be  present,  at  both 
morning  and  evening  prayers.  Notwithstanding  this  (or 
let  us  say,  in  consequence  of  it)  he  was  the  most  tender  and 
devoted  of  husbands  and  fathers.  Maj.  Davidson's  last 
years  w^ere  spent  at  the  home,  and  in  the  devoted  care  of  his 
youngest  daughter,  Elizabeth.  She  married  William  Lee 
Davidson,  the  youngest  son  and  namesake  of  her  father's 
old  friend,  the  officer  w'ho  fell  at  'his  post  of  duty  at  Cowan's 
Ford,  and  whose  death  at  the  hands  of  a  Tor}^  ought  to  pro- 
tect him  from  all  subsequent  misrepresentations. 

Maj.  Davidson  was  a  man  of  wealth,  attended  strictly  to 
his  own  business,  and  was  very  industrious  and  spent  no 
money  foolishly.  His  slaves  were  native  Africans,  bought 
from  the  New  England  slave  ship  which  landed  their  pitiful 
cargoes  on  the  wharfs  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  That  was  the 
Pandora's  box  from  which  issued  untold  evils  to  our  people 
one  hundred  years  later.  Although  it  was  a  master  stroke 
to  civilization  and  Christianized  the  cannibal  tribes  of  Af- 
rica. 

During  the  time  of  African  slavery  in  the  United  States, 
there  was  700,000  converted  to  Christianity  from  "hoodoo- 
ing" cannibals.  Greater  progress  was  made  here  with  the 
slaves  than  was  effected  by  the  missionaries  of  all  other 
Christian  nations  in  their  home  country.  But  their  free- 
dom was  a  great  blessing  to  the  white  people  of  the  South. 
How  gentle  and  faithful  and  affectionate  t'tey  became  to 
their  Christian  masters  and  mistresses.  And  it  seemed 
natural  for  them  to  hate  "poore  white  trash."  In  fact  the 
negroes  of  the  rich  had  but  little  time  for  the  negroes  of 
those  who  owned  but  two  or  three. 

Maj.  Davidson's  title  was  first  conferred  upon  him  by 
Gov.  Tryon,  and  afterwards  re-conferred  upon  him  by  the 
Provincial  Consrress.     His  home  was  about  fifteen  miles 


76  HISTORY   OP 

northwest  of  Charlotte,  near  the  Catawba  river;  and  his 
sons  located  themselves  on  adjoining  plantations.  The  old- 
est son,  Robert  (called  Robin),  married  Margaret  Osborne 
(known  far  and  near  as  "Aunt Peggy ") .  She  was  the  grand- 
daughter of  Alexander  Osborne  and  Agnes  McWhirter. 
''i'he  second  son,  John,  (commonly  called  Jacky),  married 
Sarah  Brevard,  grand-daughter  of  John  Brevard  and  Jane 
McWhirter.  "Jackey"  had  the  most  stentorian  voice  in  the 
State.  He  could  deliver  a  message  two  miles  by  calling  out. 
The  third  son,  Benjamin  Wilson  (named  in  honor  of  his 
grand  uncle,  Benjamin  Wilson,  of  England,  who  was  the 
father  of  Gen.  Sir  Robert  Wilson),  married  Elizabeth  Latta, 
and  lived  about  seven  miles  east  of  his  father.  Benjamin 
was  called  "Independence  Ben"  because  he  was  born  on  May 
20,  1787.  The  three  elder  daughters  of  Maj.  Davidson  mar- 
ried distinguished  rebel  officers,  Captain  Alexander  Bre- 
vard, Gen.  Joseph  Graiham,  and  Dr.  William  McLean,  who 
was  an  army  surgeon.  Another  daughter,  Sarah,  married 
Rev.  Alexander  Caldwell,  son  of  Rev.  David  Caldwell, 
D.  D.,  of  Guilford,  who  suffered  almost  martyrdom  for  the 
sake  of  independence. 

T'hey  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter — probably  the 
most  remarkable  family,  not  only  in  Mecklenburg  county, 
but  in  North  Carolina.  They  were  noted  for  their  mental 
calibre,  their  mind  appeared  to  grasp  whatever  subject  or 
problem  came  within  their  reach,  and  when  once  fixed  in 
their  mind,  was  there  never  to  be  forgotten.  Their  energy 
and  industry  was  unsurpassed,  and  their  influence  was  felt 
for  miles  around  them.  Mr.  D.  A.  Caldwell,  one  of  the 
brothers,  was  a  man  of  great  determination,  always  ready 
to  contend  for  what  he  considered  was  right;  he  was  any- 
thing else  than  a  policy  man.  He  possessed  that  mould  of 
features  that  was  peculiar  to  men  of  a  former  day,  that  de- 
noted friendship,  decision  of  character,  and  did  not  know 
what  fear  was ;  and  wa,s  the  very  soul  oi  honor. 

When  the  Confederate  soldiers  were  wending  their  way 
home,  the  war  being  over,  a  captain  and  twelve  men — cav- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  JJ 

airy — rode  up  and  said  they  would  stay  all  nig-ht  with  him ; 
in  the  meantime  one  of  their  horses  became  so  badly  found- 
ered that  it  was  impossible  for  it  to  travel,  so  the  captain 
looked  around  at  Mr.  Caldwell's  stable  and  selected  his  fam- 
ily carriage  horse,  and  said  he  would  be  obliged  to  take  it. 
Mr.  Caldwell  told  him  he  could  not  spare  that  horse,  but 
was  willing  to  let  them  have  another  horse  that  was  not  so 
valuable.  The  captain  said  nO',  "I  must  'have  the  bey  horse." 
I  was  immediately  sent  for,  and  hastened  to  his  aid.  He 
met  me  at  the  back  dootr  and  told  me  he  wanted  me  to  wit- 
ness what  was  about  to  transpire.  We  walked  to  the  front 
door  where  the  captain  and  his  men  were  saddling  their 
horses.  The  captain  spoke  kindly,  or  rather  I  should  say, 
politely,  "Mr.  Caldwell,  you  have  entertained  us  kindly,  fed 
our  horses,  showed  us  all  the  courtesies  we  could  expect,  but 
necessity  knows  no  law;  I  will  certainly  take  the  bey 
horse."  Mr.  Caldwell  replied,  "I  will  kill  whoever  puts  his 
hand  on  my  horse."  The  captain  said,  "There  is  thirteen  of 
us  and  but  one  of  you.  Would  you  sacrifice  your  life  for  a 
horse  ?"  "Not  for  a  horse,  but  for  the  principle  of  the  thing, 
I  will  do  it  quick."  The  captain  told  his  troopers  to  let  the 
horse  alone.  These  three — the  Caldwell  branch — lived  to  an 
average  age  of  90  years,  and  their  offspring  still  inherits  all 
the  fine  qualities  of  their  ancestors. 

The  youngest  daughter,  as  before  stated,  married  Wil- 
liam Lee  Davidson.  So  that  no  family  in  the  county  was 
more  thoroughly  identified  with  the  achievement  oi  national 
independence.  Maj.  Davidson  shared  the  labors  of  his 
newly  purchased  slaves,  and  instructed  them  personally  in 
every  branch  of  plantation  work.  And  he  did  everything 
so  well  with  'his  own  hands  that  his  grand-sons  would  laugh 
and  say  :  "Grand-father  can  do  everything  in  the  world,  ex- 
cept shear  a  sheep."  He  had  tried  to  assist  in  the  sheep- 
shearing,  and  failed  so  signally  that  it  was  a  standing  joke 
in  the  family  ever  afterwards.  His  handsome  old  brick 
mansion,  built  after  the  close  of  the  war,  was  unfortunately 
destroyed  by  fire  a  few  years  ago,  but  his  plantation  is  still 


yS  HISTORY   OF 

in  the  hands  of  his  descendants.     His  grave  and  that  of  his 
wife  may  still  be  seen  near  his  homestead. 

HKZEKTAH  ALEXANDER. 

Four  of  the  six  x\lexanders  who  signed  the  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  were  so  well  known  in  the  county  that  they  are 
still  spoken  of  with  reverence  and  affection.  We,  know 
just  where  their  homes  were,  and  their  graves  are  with  us  to 
this  day.  The  principal  transactions  of  their  lives  are  re- 
corded in  history.  But  of  the  other  two,  Ezra  and  Charles, 
diligent  enquiry  has  revealed  nothing  that  is  satisfactory  from 
the  oldest  citizens.  One  informant  was  under  the  impres- 
sion that  they  lived  within  the  bounds  of  Providence,  and 
were  neighbors  of  Ezekiel  Polk,  and  like  him,  were  atheists. 
If  this  is  true,  they  probably  emigrated  with  him  to  Tennes- 
see, carrying  with  them  their  circulating  library  or  infidel 
literature,  and  so  both  they  and  their  books  disappeared  and 
were  a  g:vod  riddance  to  their  fellow  citizens.  Hezekiah 
and  Joim  McKnitt  Alexander  were  brothers,  and  were  near 
kinsman  of  the  Brevard  family.  Hezekiah  Alexander  was 
bcrn  in  Pennsylvania  the  13th  of  January,  1722.  By  the 
Provincial  Congress  at  Hillsboro  (21st  August,  1775)  he 
was  appoiinted  with  Griffin  Rutherford,  John  Brevard  and 
Benjamin  Patton  and  others  a  Committee  of  Safety  for  the 
Salisbury  District,  which  included  Mecklenburg  within  its 
bounds.  In  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  with  William 
Sharp,  again  on  a  Council  of  Safety — an  evidence  of  the 
great  respect  inspired  by  his  intellect  and  integrity.  He 
afterwards  held  the  position  of  paymaster  to  the  Fourth 
Regiment  of  North  Carolina  Continentals,  of  which  Thomas 
Folk  was  colonel,  James  Thackston  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
William  Lee  Davidson  major.  In  November,  1776.  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  from 
Mecklenburg  with  Waightstill  Avery,  Robert  Irwin,  John 
Phifer,  Zaccheus  Wilson  as  colleagues,  w'hich  assembly 
formed  the  Constitution  of  North  Carolina.     He  died  in 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  79 

1801,  and  is  buried  in  Sugar  Creek  church  graveyard.  His 
house,  a  stone  building  of  good  proportions,  is  still  stand- 
ing, about  four  miles  from  Charlotte,  near  the  old  Potter 
road,  a  highway  that  was  in  use  before  our  town  was  laid 
off  or  located.  The  old  house  has  a  great  cavern  of  a  cellar 
where  traditio'n  says  Mrs.  Hezekiah  Alexander  used  to  store 
the  rich  products  of  the  farm,  many  jars  of  honey  being  part 
of  their  contents.  Just  in  front  of  the  cellar  door  is,  or  used 
to  be,  a  large  flat  stone ;  and  upon  this  stone  the  British  sol- 
diers broke  all  the  jars  of  honey  which  they  could  not  carry 
away  with  them.  They  would  not  leave  anything  for  the 
old  rebel  and  his  family.  There  is  a  beautiful  spring  near 
the  house  with  a  stone  arch  built  over  it,  a  stone  spring  house 
for  dairy  purposes,  whose  size  indicates  that  milk,  butter 
and  cheese  must  have  been  so  abundant  as  to  require  con- 
siderable room. 

Like  all  the  colonial  homes,  a  meadow  was  near  by — ^prob- 
ably once  smooth  and  green  and  a  thing  of  rare  beauty ;  but 
now  defaced  with  corn  furrows  and  rough  stalks  of  stubble 
left  by  the  last  crop.  Tradition  states  that  the  two  daught- 
ers of  Hezekiah  Alexander  were  very  beautiful  women. 
Mrs.  Captain  Cook,  who  was  deputed  by  the  town  to  enter- 
tain Gen.  Washington  when  he  was  the  town's  guest  in  1791, 
was  considered  a  good  judge  of  female  beauty,  having  seen 
much  of  the  world,  and  she  said  she  had  never  seen  any 
beauties  who  equaled  these  two  Misses  Alexander.  One  of 
them  married  Charley  Polk  and  met  a  very  tragic  fate. 
Her  husband  was  cleaning  his  gun  in  her  room  (where  she 
was  sitting  with  her  child  in  her  arms),  when  it  went  off  and 
killed  her.  He  subsequently  announced  his  intention  of 
marrying  his  beautiful  sister-in-law,  but  her  brothers  ob- 
jected very  decidedly,  and  his  own  brothers  also  interfered 
to  prevent  the  marriage,  and  he  had  to  give  it  up.  Dare- 
devil as  he  was,  he  could  not  dare  everything.  The  lady 
died  unmarried.  Waightstill  Avery,  the  friend  of  Hezekiah 
Alexander,  made  his  home  at  his  house  during  'his  residence 
in  Mecklenburg,  and  rode  into  town  every  day  to  his  law 


'8o  HISTORY   OF 

office.  The  sons  of  the  family  did  not  think  it  safe  to  re- 
main at  home  during  the  occupation  of  Charlotte  by  the 
British,  as  foraging-  parties  might  be  expected  at  any  time, 
but  of  course  had  to  return  occasionally  for  their  supplies ; 
and  their  mother  used  to  hang  a  signal  from  one  of  the  upper 
windows  when  she  thought  it  safe  for  them  to  come  home. 
On  the  walls  of  the  house  may  be  seen  the  date  oi  its  erec- 
tion, 1774. 

JOHN  m'kNITT  ALEXANDER. 

No  man  in  Mecklenburg  county  in  Colonial  times  seems 
to  have  had  more  of  the  confidence  and  love  of  his  fellow- 
dtizens  (or  rather  fellow  sufferers)  than  John  McKnitt 
Alexander.  His  devoted  piety,  his  open-handed  and  never- 
ceasing  hospitality,  and  excellent  good  sense  made  him  a 
leader  among  the  best  class  of  the  community.  His  grand- 
son, Dr.  J.  G.  M.  Ramsay,  the  well-known  historian  of  Ten- 
nessee, tells  that  when  Ochiltree,  the  traitor,  found  that 
Cornwallis  was  preparing  to  leave  Charlotte,  he  knew  that 
the  citizens  would  punish  him  as  he  deserved,  for  accepting 
from  the  enemies  of  his  country  the  office  of  Quartermaster 
after  having  signed  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. He  had  grcwn  rich  in  his  mercantile  dealing 
with  the  Mecklenburg  people  and  was  loath  to  leave  the 
property  he  had  accumulated  here.  He  determined  to  ap- 
peal to  John  McKnitt  Alexander  for  protection,  as  being 
the  kindest-hearted  and  most  influential  man  in  the  county. 
So,  on  the  night  previous  to  the  evacuation  he  mounted  his 
horse  and  rode  nine  miles  up  what  is  called  the  Statesville 
road  to  the  house  of  Alexander,  but  found  no  one  at  home 
except  Mrs.  Alexander  and  her  children  and  servants.  She 
knew  him  well,  having  bought  goods  from  him  for  years  as 
a  merchant,  and  refused  to  admit  him  and  refused  to  tell 
him  where  her  husband  was.  He  pledged  the  honor  of  a 
British  officer  that  his  intentions  were  good,  and  reached 
his  sword  to  her  through  the  window  as  a  guarantee  of  his 


MKCKLKNBURG   COUNTY.  8l 

truth.  Mrs.  Alexander's  pity  was  aroused  and  she  agreed 
to  send  for  her  husband,  who  was  at  one  of  the  many  mili- 
tary camps  then  dotting  the  country.  This  one  was  Maj. 
Sharp's,  the  one  nearest  his  own  house.  Her  little  daughter 
Peggy,  a  girl  of  thirteen,  attended  by  a  faithful  slave, 
Venus,  was  sent  to  bring  her  father.  On  returning  home 
w^ith  the  child,  Ochiltree  threw  himself  upon  his  protection, 
asking  security  for  person  and  property,  after  the  British 
army  had  left.  But  all  the  milk  of  human  kindness  had  been 
turned  to  gall  in  the  patriot's  heart.  The  former  friend  ana 
colleague  had  sinned  too  deeply  to  be  forgiven.  He  said: 
"Ochiltree,  if  I  had  met  you  anywhere  else,  I  would 
have  killed  you ;  in  my  own  house  your  life  is  safe.  But  I 
advise  you  to  cross  the  Yadkin  before  daylight,  otherwise 
you  will  never  witness  another  daylight.  Your  life  is  for- 
feited." The  panic-stricken  traitor  knew  that  if  John  Mc- 
Knitt  Alexander  had  no  pity  on  him,  nobody  else  would,  and 
he  took  his  advice  and  fled.  That  was  the  last  seen  of 
Ochiltree.  It  was  reported  that  he  reached  Wilmington 
safely  and  afterwards  escaped  to  the  coast  of  Florida.  Pre- 
vious to  this  time,  Ochiltree  had  been  sending  out  foraging 
parties  to  every  plantation  which  he  knew  so  well,  to  obtain 
supplies  for  the  British  troops.  No  man  was  base  enough 
to  sell  to  him,  and  many  poor  soldiers  paid  their  lives  for 
being  his  messengers.  McKnitt  Alexander  was  wealthy, 
and  the  produce  of  his  plantation  was  very  great.  He  said 
to  his  foreman,  "Cato,  the  moment  you  see  the  red-coats 
enter  our  lane,  run  quick  and  set  fire  to  the  stock  yard  and 
barn.  Duncan  Ochiltree  shall  not  have  one  bundle  of  my 
fodder."  And  in  loyalty  to  his  master,  Cato  and  Ruth  did 
actually  burn  to  ashes  the  whole  result  of  a  year's  labor. 

The  delegates  from  Mecklenburg  who  were  elected  to 
the  Provincial  Congress  which  met  at  Halifax  1776,  were 
John  Phifer,  Robert  Irwin,  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander. 
He  was  secretary  to  the  convention  in  Charlotte  which  de- 
clared independence.  He  was  treasurer  for  the  two  Synods 
(then  united  in  one)   of  North  and  South  Carolina.     His 


82  HISTORY   OF 

house  was  headquarters  for  the  clergymen  of  his  church, 
and  hence  his  daughters  naturally  married  the  pastors 
of  the  surrounding  congregations,  Rev.  James  Wallis,  of 
Providence,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Craighead  Caldwell,  of  Sugar 
Creek. 

Like  the  other  colonists  of  means,  he  educated  his  oldest 
son  Joseph  McKnitt  Alexander,  at  Princeton.  A  list  of 
the  Princeton  graduates  of  Mecklenburg  would  be  quite  a 
long  one.  The  Alexander  plantation  when  Cato  and  Ruth 
burned  the  stock  yard  and  barn,  was  said  to  be  the  largest 
in  the  county ;  and  in  those  days  large  estates  in  land  was  the 
rule  rather  than  the  exception.  Wheeler  calls  Thomas 
Polk's  estate  "princely."  But  the  McKnitt  Alexander  place 
was  said  to  be  ten  miles  square.  John  McKnitt  Alexander 
was  a  member  of  the  convention  which  formed  the  State 
Constitution;  and  in  1777  we  find  himi  in  the  State  Senate, 
while  Waightstill  Avery  and  Martin  Phifer  were  members, 
the  same  date,  of  the  House  of  Commons.  This  was  his  last 
appearance  in  public  life.  He  was  buried  at  Hopewell 
church,  one  of  the  seven  noted  churches  of  Colonial  times. 
His  sister,  Mrs.  Jamima  Sharp,  is  buried  at  Sugar  Creek. 
She  used  to  say  her  nearest  neighbor  on  the  north  was  eight 
miles  distant,  and  southward  and  eastward,  fifteen  miles. 
Just  think  of  the  loneliness  and  desolation  of  that  Indian- 
haunted  region  and  what  these  people  were  willing  to  en- 
dure for  conscience  sake. 

John  McKnitt  Alexander's  eldest  son  Joseph,  a  graduate 
of  Princeton,  married  Dovey,  the  daughter  of  Moses  Wins- 
low,  and  the  grand-daughter  of  Alexander  Osborne  and 
liis  wife  Agnes  McWhirter.  The  second  son,  William 
Bane,  married  Violet,  a  daughter  of  Maj.  John  Davidson. 
Both  are  said  to  have  been  very  beautiful  women.  In  Colo- 
T'ial  days,  Mecklenburg  was  renowned  for  beautiful  women. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  83 

''sacred  to   the   memory   of   JOHN    m'kNITT   ALEXANDER, 
WHO  DEPARTED  THIS  LIEE  JULY  ID,  1817,  AGED  84." 

By  his  side  is  buried  his  wife,  Jane  Bain,  who  died 
March  i6,  1798,  aged  30  years.  Two  sons,  Joseph  Mc- 
Knitt,  M.  D.,  and  WilHam  Bain  Alexander.  The  first  mar- 
ried Dovey  Winslow,  who  died  September  6,  1801,  aged  25, 
leaving  one  son,  Moses  Winslow  Alexander,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Joseph  McKnitt  Alexander  was  born  in  1774  and  died 
Octc^ber  18,  1841.  His  son,  Moses  Winslow  Alexander, 
was  born  ]\Iay  3,  1798,  and  died  February  27,  1845.  The 
children  of  William  Bain  Alexander,  who  married  Violet 
Davidson,  a  daughter  of  Maj.  John  Davidson,  were  four- 
teen in  number,  seven  sons  and  seven  daughters: 

1.  Joseph,  married  Nancy  Cathy;  moved  to  Alabama  in 

1835-  ' 

2.  William  B.,  married  Clarissa  Alexander. 

3.  Robert  D.,  married  Abigail  Bain  Caldwell. 

4.  Benjamin  Wilson,  married  Elvira  McCoy. 

5.  James  McKnitt,  married  Mary  Wilson. 

6.  George  Washington,  married  first  Sarah  Harris ;  sec- 
ond, Gillespie;  third.  Jetton. 

7.  John  Ramsay,  married  Harriet  Henderson. 

8.  Jane  Bain,  married  Capt.  John  Sharp. 

9.  Margaret  Davidson,  married  David  R.  Henderson. 

10.  Rebecca,  married  Marshall  McCoy. 

11.  Sally  Davidson,  never  rnarried. 

12.  Abigail,  married  Henderson  Robertson. 

13.  Betsy,  married  Dr.  Isaac  Wilson. 

14.  Isabella,  married  Dr.  Calvin  Wier. 

This  is  copied  from  Wheeler's  Reminiscences,  published 
in  1884.  Persons  desiring  it  carried  out  still  further,  have 
plenty  of  data  to  draw  from. 

ABRAHAM    ALEXANDER. 

The  home  of  Abraham  Alexander  was  about  three  miles 
northeast  of  Charlotte,  and  was  known  in  the  neighborhood 


84  HISTORY   OF 

as  Alexander's  Mill.  It  is  now  very  difficult  to  locate  the 
exact  spot;  it  is  only  by  referring  to  old  papers  and  land 
deeds  that  the  old  place  can  be  recognized.  An  old  excava- 
tion almost  filled  with  the  washings  of  the  surrounding  soil, 
is  the  only  vestige  of  the  Colonial  home.  It  is  now  a  very 
desolate  looking  spot;  but  when  forest  trees  crowned  the 
hills  around  the  little  valley,  once  smooth  and  green,  and 
the  now  vanished  spring  bubbled  at  the  foot  of  a  gentle  slope 
upon  which  the  dwelling  stood,  and  sent  forth  its  sparkling 
brook  to  meet  the  larger  stream  which  turned  the  mill  wheel 
it  may  have  been  a  very  charming  place.  The  grand-son, 
Elias  Alexander,  built  a  handsome  brick  house  on  another 
portion  of  the  estate  which  is  still  standing.  From  all  we 
can  learn  of  Abraham  Alexander,  he  was  a  quiet.  God-fear- 
ing man,  and  much  belcved  and  respected  by  his  neighbors. 
When  he  rode  through  the  forest  on  that  balmy  May  morn- 
ing to  take  his  seat  as  chairman  of  the  Mecklenburg  Conven- 
tion, he  probably  had  not  the  faintest  idea  that  he  was 
making  a  name  in  history  for  himself  and  his  family.  He 
no  doubt  thought  he  was  doing  his  simple  duty  as  an  humble 
Christian  citizen.  Verging  upon  three  score  years  of  age, 
he  had  no  youthful  enthusiasm  for  new  ways.  But  he  had 
sat  reverently  under  Craighead's  ministry,  and  probably 
imbibed  every  one  of  his  political  opinions.  We  can  im- 
agine his  soliloquy  as  he  jogs  along  to  the  stormy  meeting 
before  him.  He  may  be  saying  to  himself:  "The  Bible 
certainly  commands  us  to  submit  ourselves  to  'the  powers 
that  be;'  yes,  yes,  to  'the  powers  that  be.'  But  the  ques- 
tion is,  what  and  who  are  the  powers  that  be!  If  we  are 
stronger  than  our  oppressors,  are  not  we  ourselves  the  pow- 
ers that  be  ?  And  is  it  not  sinful  supineness  to  neglect  to  ex- 
ercise the  powers  that  God  gives  us?  We  can  try  it  any 
how,  and  the  effort  to  free  ourselves  will  be  an  appeal  to 
God,  and  He  himself  shall  decide  the  question."  And  here 
we  will  imagine  that  he  meets  his  neighbors  Hezekiah  Alex- 
ander from  the  neighboring  farm,  bound  like  himself,  to  the 
meeting  in  Charlotte  and  they  begin  to  discuss  the  ques- 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  85 

tion,  "I  wish  our  old  pastor  Craighead  was  alive  now  to  ad- 
vise us  what  to  do."  "I  know  very  well  what  he  would  ad- 
vise us  to  do,"  answered  Hezekiah.  "He  would  preach  us  a 
sermon  on  the  duty  of  putting  down  bad  rulers  and  substi- 
tuting good  ones.  We  are  commanded  to  put  men  into 
power  who  hate  covetousness.  Now  you  know  very  well, 
neighbor,  that  sole  object  of  the  many  deputies  who  rule 
us  in  the  King's  name,  it;  to  enrich  themselves  as  fast  as  pos- 
sible at  the  expense  of  the  public.  We  are  commanded  to 
have  men  of  truth  as  rulers— -our  royal  governors  are  liars, 
promising  redress  and  never  keeping  their  word.  We  are 
commanded  to  have  able  men  to  rule  us.  And  according 
to  all  accotmts,  our  King  George  is  anything  but  an  able 
man.  At  least  he  is  not  able  enough  to  save  us  from  op- 
pression by  his  deputies."  And  so  these  Bible  taught  men 
come  prepared  to  do  their  duty — humbly,  reverently,  we 
hope  prayerfully.  They  ride  together  into'  Tryon  street  and 
dismount  at  the  gates  of  Queen's  College.  (The  people 
never  took  kindly  to  the  new  name  of  Liberty  Hall,  and 
through  all  subsequent  changes  called  their  institution 
Queen's  College.)  Had  the  men  who  met  them  that  day 
been  endowed  wnth  the  gift  of  second  sight,  they  would  have 
looked  forward  to  the  death  of  State's  Rights  upon  the  very 
spot  where  Independence  was  born ;  for  here  in  Tryon  street, 
Charlotte,  Jefferson  Davis  made  his  last  public  address  as 
President  of  the  Confederate  States.  State's  Rights  lived 
less  than  one  hundred  years,  and  died  an  awful  death,  in- 
cluding various  battles  at  the  North,  but  their  full  strength 
was  only  shown  when  their  own  colony  was  invaded. 
Abraham  Alexander  was  too  old  for  military  service,  but  he 
was  none  the  less  a  hero  and  true  patriot.  He  lived  long 
enough  to  see  his  hopes  realized  in  the  establishment  of 
American  Independence,  His  tombstone  may  be  seen  in 
the  cemetery  of  Sugar  Creek  church,  overshadowed  by  a 
splendid  oak,  and  bearing  the  inscription,  "Let  me  die  the 
death  of  the  righteous  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his." 


86  HISTORY    OF 

DR.   EPIIRAIM  BREVARD. 

The  Brevards  were  i  Rowan  family,  and  the  only  member 
that  we  can  claim  is  Dr.  Ephraim,  who  married  in  Meck- 
lenburg- and  became  a  citizen  of  this  county.  The  Os- 
bornes  were  also  Rowan  people,  and  the  Lockes  and  Bran- 
dons and  Sharps  and  Winslows.  George  Locke,  however, 
we  may  partly  claim,  as  he  died  upon  our  soil  and  in  de- 
fence of  our  county.  The  saddest  history  in  our  revolution- 
ary annals  is  that  of  Dr.  Brevard,  our  martyr.  Locke  died  a 
fearful  death,  cut  to  pieces  by  the  sabres  of  Tarleton's  dread 
and  merciless  drgoons,  Avhile  vainly  trying  to  shield  him- 
self by  holding  up  his  rifle.  His  death  agony,  however, 
was  short,  while  Brevard  died  by  inches  in  all  the  long  an- 
guish of  a  barbarous  imprisonment.  The  horrible  prison 
ships  of  Charleston  were  meant  to  be  death-traps.  Bad 
food,  worse  water,  and  still  worse  air,  were  the  fiendish 
agencies  used  to  kill  hundreds  of  men  and  unnumbered 
broken  hearts  of  widowed  women  and  orphaned  children. 
So  strange  and  terrible  are  the  vicissitudes  of  nations. 

So  many  truthful  and  able  pens  have  told  the  histor)-- 
of  the  convention,  that  it  need  not  be  repeated  here,  as  it 
has  a  place  set  apart  for  it,  separate  and  distinct,  as  this 
chapter  tells  more  of  those  who  participated  in  this  wonder- 
ful convention.  After  it  the  people  felt  themselves  free  ot 
all  royal  authority ;  and  they  arrested  and  punished  all  who 
maintained  that  the  British  government  was  still  in  force. 

The  Queen's  College  students  were  full  of  republican 
ardor,  and  formed  themselves  into  a  military  company  in  the 
following  year,  February,  1776,  to  assist  in  defending  our 
maritime  frontier.  The  victory  at  Moor's  Creek,  intelli- 
gence of  which  met  them  at  Campbleton,  rendered  their 
campaign  and  their  vacation  a  short  one.  But  each  one  of 
these  students  did  good  service  in  other  fields  subsequently. 
Wm.  Richardson  Davie,  John  George  and  Joseph  Graham, 
Francis  Locke,  Paul  Phifer,  Wm.  McLean  were  only  a  few 
of  the  youths  who  were  educated  in  Charlotte,   although 


MKCKL,KNBURG   COUNTY.  8/ 

some  of  them  i  ftervvards  supplemented  their  education  at 
Princeton  and  Philadelphia.  The  snow  campaign  under 
Gen.  Rutherford  kept  our  county  busily  excited  for  some 
portion  of  the  same  year.  Rutherford  was  a  Rowan  citi- 
zen, and  therefore  we  make  no  claim  to  one  leaf  of  his  bril- 
liant laurels,  but  many  Mecklenburg  men  fought  under 
him  (our  county  and  Rowan  forming  one  military  district) 
and  helped  in  putting  down  the  Scovillite  Tories  and  the 
Cherokee  Indians.  The  campaign  was  sharp  and  bloody, 
but  completely  successful. 

In  the  three  or  four  following  years  Mecklenburg  men 
fought  the  Tories  wherever  found.  The  longing  for  home 
killed  some,  for  people  in  those  days  loved  home  with  a  ten- 
derly passionate  affection,  which  we  migratory,  travel-loving 
people  can  scarcely  understand.  How  O'ften  I  have  heard 
of  old  people  longing  to  behold  the  old  spring  which  ran 
near  the  father's  door;  and  shedding  tears  of  joy  at  again 
listening  to  the  old  familiar  hymns  sung  in  the  country 
churches  when  they  were  children.  They  were  like  the  old 
Scotch  woman,  dying  in  the  slums  of  London  and  asking 
her  pastor  with  her  failing  breath  if  he  thought  the  dear 
Lord  would  allow  her  to  go  by  her  old  highland  home  on 
her  way  to  heaven.  An  old  woman  in  Mecklenburg  county, 
who  was  married  while  young  and  moved  West,  spent  her 
life  in  the  far  West,  returned  in  her  old  age  and  was  so  re- 
joiced to  get  home  that  she  said  now  she  was  ready  to  die. 
The  wish  was  granted,  and  she  was  buried  with  her  kindred 
and  friends  in  the  old  cemetery  in  Charlotte.  Dr.  Brevard 
was  one  of  these  tender,  loving  natives.  In  his  childhood 
his  love  for  his  little  sister  led  him  to  perform  an  act  of  hero- 
ism which  cost  him  the  loss  of  one  of  his  eyes.  Returning 
from  school  one  evening,  he  heard  his  sister  scream;  her 
clothing  had  caught  fire  from  one  of  the  numerous  brush- 
heaps  which  always  made  the  pioneer's  newly  cleared 
ground  so  picturesque  a  scene.  Rushing  to  her  assistance, 
and  entirely  forgetful  of  his  own  safety,  he  struck  his  eye 
against  a  bough  and  received  so  severe  an  injury  that  the 


88  HISTORY   OF 

sight  was  destroyed,  and  he  went  through  life  with  only  one 
eye.  Of  course,  a  man  of  such  loving  and  self-sacrificing 
disposition  would  naturally  have  devoted  friends;  yes, 
friends  who  were  ready  to  die  for  him.  One  of  his  patients 
— an  old  woman — hearing  of  his  sufferings  in  prison,  deter- 
mined to  go  to  Charleston  and  do  what  she  could  for  him. 
Other  women  in  Mecklenburg  had  sons  and  brothers  in  the 
dreadful  prison  ships,  and  they  formed  a  party  to  go  down 
and  offer  themselves  as  nurses.  They  set  out  on  foot,  trav- 
eling through  a  thinly  settled  country  which  afforded  little 
or  no  accommodations  to  wayfarers;  but  they  struggled 
bravely  on,  laden  with  medicines  and  hospital  stores,  and  at 
length  reached  their  destination.  Oh,  the  brave,  tender, 
noble  women  of  revolutionary  days ;  working  women,  home- 
spun-clad, but  rich  with  all  the  sweet  attributes  of  sanctifiea 
womanhood.  Bible-loving,  church-going  women,  who  were 
willing  to  endure  all  things  in  the  path  of  duty.  Mrs.  Jack- 
son, the  mother  of  a  subsequent  President,  was  one  of  these 
Charleston  nurses,  and  was  so  broken  down  by  her  efforts 
that  she  died  on  the  way  home.  Died  in  a  tent  which  had 
probably  been  furnished  them  by  some  of  our  own  soldiers, 
to  shelter  them  from  the  weather.  She  was  buried  by  the 
roadside,  and  the  spot  is  now  forgotten.  The  British  evac- 
uated Charleston  in  May,  1782,  but  our  local  historians  say 
that  Dr.  Brevard  was  released  in  1781,  and  if  that  is  true, 
he  was  probably  exchanged  for  some  noted  prisoner  in 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  Once  free,  his  great  desire 
w^as  to  reach  his  loved  home,  his  reverend  old  mother  and  his 
motherless  child.  In  those  days  there  were  no  conveniences 
for  travel.  Our  hardy  ancestors  made  long  journeys  on 
foot — at  best  they  traveled  on  horseback,  or  Avagons  without 
springs.  So  our  dying  hero  set  out  from  Charleston  to 
reach  home.  The  long,  wearisome  journey,  with  failing 
strength  and  failing  nerves  and  no  hope  of  rest  until  he 
reached  home.  What  a  tedious,  suffering  struggle  it  was. 
But  love  conquers  all  obstacles.  He  must  get  home — must 
see  his  mother  and  his  child,  and  the  beloved  scenes  of  his 


MKCKIvENBURG   COUNTY.  89 

childhood.  He  reaches  Charlotte  at  length,  where  his  happy 
young  married  days  had  been  spent,  and  where  his  wife, 
Mary  Polk,  was  buried ;  but  his  mother's .  house  was  still 
twenty-five  miles  further  on — the  original  home  had  been 
burned  by  the  British  soldiers,  but  another  stood  upon  the 
loved  spot. 

Thank  God  the  vandal  avengers  could  not  destroy  the 
landscape  of  wood  and  meadow  and  of  firm,  white  sand 
where  his  mother,  in  the  absence  of  primary  books,  had 
taught  her  children  to  read  by  drawing  the  letters  and  words 
with  a  pointed  stick.  The  mother,  Jane  McWhirter,  came 
of  a  noble  family  whose  blood  had  flowed  in  martyrdom  be- 
fore they  crossed  the  Atlantic.  She  and  her  sister  Agnes 
(Mrs.  Alexander  Osborne)  lived  on  neighboring  plantations 
in  Rowan — now  Iredell  county.  Their  old  mother  lived 
with  them,  and  their  brother.  Rev.  Dr.  McWhirter,  an  in- 
timate friend  of  Gen.  Washington,  was  sent  south  by  Con- 
gress to  animate  the  Southern  colonies  in  defence  of  their 
homes  and  their  religion.  And  here  we  would  say  that  to 
be  consistent,  Christian  ministers  must  always  preach 
against  war,  except  in  extreme  cases.  Undoubtedly  our 
Lord  commands  us  to  resist  not  evil,  but  in  defence  of  home 
and  women  and  children  and  Bible  truth,  we  may  resort 
to  arms.  The  Scotch,  the  Scotch-Irish  and  the  English 
Puritans  held  the  same  views  on  these  subjects. 

To  talk  to  them  of  the  "pomp  and  circumstance  of  war" 
was  useless  labor — mere  clap-trap.  Glory  won  by  conquest 
was  equally  opposed  to  these  principles.  Brute  courage  was 
essentially  unmanly.  But  to  die  in  defence  of  God's  Bible 
truth,  that  was  another  thing.  They  could  not  obey  God 
unless  they  had  political  and  religious  liberty.  Dr.  Bre- 
vard and  his  fellow  prisoners  had  the  comforts  of  believing 
that  their  martyrdom,  cruel  as  it  was,  was  securing  for 
their  fellow  countrymen  the  great  boon  of  a  righteous  gov- 
ernment and  an  unfettered  church. 

Dr.  Brevard  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg   Convention    that    set    in    motion    the    liberty    we 


90  HISTORY    OF 

achieved  in  the  eighteenth  century.  He  thought  much  and 
clearly  upon  the  subject,  and  Foote  gives  a  long  paper  of 
instructions  to  our  legislative  delegates,  written  by  him. 
Worn  out  by  disease  and  fatigue,  he  reached  the  house  of 
his  friend  and  kinsman,  McKnitt  Alexander,  and  could  go 
no  further.  We  hope  his  mother  and  daughter  reached 
his  bedside  before  his  death,  but  history  gives  us  no  par- 
ticulars. His  long  sufferings  ended  there,  and  Foote  says 
he  was  buried  at  Hopewell  church.  Others  say  his  body 
was  brought  to  Charlotte  and  buried  beside  his  wife  in  the 
grounds  of  Queen's  College.  As  these  grounds  were  used 
for  a  burying  place  for  the  Cornwallis  soldiers,  it  seems 
scarcely  probable  that  our  noblest  hero  should  be  laid  be- 
side them.  Especially  as  the  town  had  a  cemetery  of  its 
own  in  which  his  wife's  mother  was  buried,  and  two  years 
later  her  father,  Gen.  Tom.  Polk.  So  we  are  compelled  to 
think  there  is  some  mistake  about  it,  and  that  both  he  and 
wife  are  buried  in  our  old  church  cemetery  in  Chariotte. 


Some  o/  the  Ba.r  One  Hundred  Years  Ago. 

HON.    SAMUEr.  I.OWRIE. 

He  was  a  native  of  New  Castle  county,  State  of  Dela- 
ware, born  May  12,  1756;  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth 
Lowrie.  When  a  child  his  parents  moved  to  Rowan  county 
and  he  was  educated  at  Clio  Academy,  Iredell  county,  by 
Rev.  James  Hall.  He  studied  law  in  Camden,  S.  C,  and 
was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  from  this  county  in 
1804,  1805  and  1806,  when  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the 
Superior  Court,  which  he  held  until  his  death,  on  the  22nd 
of  December,  181 8.  He  married  in  1788  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Robert  Alexander,  who  left  him  with  several 
children;  and  second  time,  181 1,  he  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Marmaduke  Norfleet,  of  Bertie  county.  He  was  a  man 
of  most  engaging  manners,  a  fine  conversationalist,  very 
learned  in  the  law.  His  judicial  district  covered  a  great 
deal  of  territory,  extended  down  into  the  eastern  counties. 
Some  of  his  descendants  still  live  in  Mecklenburg.  The 
family  were  noted  for  intellect,  both  men  and  women,  and 
v/ere  looked  up  to  as  leaders  of  thought,  and  were  critics  of 
more  than  ordinary  ability,  especially  the  female  members 
of  the  family. 

JOSEPH    WILSON,    ESQ. 

A  most  distinguished  lawyer  and  statesman,  resided  and 
died  in  Charlotte,  which  for  many  years  was  the  scene  of  his 
services  and  honors.  Joseph  Wilson's  early  education  was 
as  good  as  the  country  afforded.  He  was  under  the  care  of 
Rev.  David  Caldwell,  and  by  the  advice  of  Reuben  Wood, 
he  studied  law.  He  was  licensed  in  1804,  and  came  to  the 
bar  at  the  same  time  Avith  Israel  Pickens,  of  Burke  county, 
afterwards  Governor  of  Alabama.  By  the  perseverance  of 
his  character,  the  force  of  his  intellect  and  steady  applica- 


92  HISTORY    OF 

tion  he  arose  to  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  settled  for 
a  while  in  Stokes  county ;  he  represented  that  county  in  the 
State  Legislature  in  i8io'ii-'i2.  He  distinguished  him- 
self by  his  warm  advocacy  of  the  war  with  England.  About 
this  time  he  made  his  home  in  Charlotte;  was  elected  Solici- 
tor of  the  Mountain  Circuit,  then  embracing  nearly  all  the 
western  part  of  the  State.  His  unsurpassed  zeal  and  in- 
domitable energy  with  which  he  discharged  his  duties  of 
this  responsible  position,  when  the  country  was  swarming 
with  law-breakers,  in  bringing  them  to  punishment,  was  in- 
deed a  hazardous  undertaking.  More  than  once  was  his 
life  threatened  for  upholding  the  majesty  of  the  law.  He 
continued  in  this  office  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
August,  1829.  He  left  quite  a  large  family,  who  inherited 
largely  their  father's  talents.  His  daughter,  Catharine, 
married  William  J.  Alexander,  Esq.,  who  was  as  profound 
a  lawyer  as  his  accomplished  father-in-law.  Another  of  his 
daughters,  Miss  Roxana,  married  Dr.  P.  C.  Caldwell,  the 
most  distinguished  physician  in  the  county.  Miss  Cousa 
Wilson,  another  daughter,  who  was  never  married,  but  par- 
took largely  of  the  intellectual  qualities  of  her  father.  Of 
Mr.  Wm.  J.  Alexander's  family  much  could  be  said  of  the 
mental  attainments,  and  of  the  brilliancy  and  beauty  of  the 
women.  Miss  Mary  Wood  Alexander  was  admired  by  the 
most  talented  young  men  of  the  town,  but  she  thought  best 
to  remain  heart-whole  and  fancy  free,  and  applied  herself 
to  the  education  of  young  girls,  fitting  them  to  fill  useful 
stations  in  life.  Miss  Laura  also  remained  single,  and 
applied  her  talents  on  the  stage,  where  she  shone  brilliantly 
for  a  while,  but  her  sun  went  down  when  her  friends  thought 
she  had  scarcely  reached  half  way  to  her  meridian.  Both 
sons,  William  and  Joseph,  attained  honorable  positions  in 
the  Confederate  army,  and  proved  themselves  worthy  of 
their  parentage.  Their  father,  W.  J.  Alexander,  attained 
a  reputation  as  a  lawyer,  but  few  men  ever  reach.  Early 
in  the  latter  half  of  the  last  century  he  and  his  family  moved 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  93 

to  Lincoln  county,  where  he  remained  until  he  died.  His 
brother,  Washington  Alexander,  also  a  lawyer,  lived  here, 
was  well  known  as  an  advocate,  did  much  practice  in  the 
forties,  but  did  not  have  the  great  reputation  of  his  brother 
Julius. 

In  1846,  at  a  gala  day  in  Charlotte,  when  the  town  was 
crowded  with  negroes,  one  man  was  overheard  to  say :  "I 
believe  there  are  negroes  enoug'h  here  to  pay  all  of  Julius 
Alexander's  debts,"  and  some  one  replied,  "I  think  it  doubt- 
ful." 

JAMES   W.    OSBORNE. 

James  W.  Osborne  began  the  practice  of  law  about  1830. 
He  was  much  sought  after  to  take  capital  cases.  It  was 
conceded  that  if  Mr.  Osborne  could  not  clear  a  case  of  mur- 
der, or  any  other  capital  case,  he  must  be  guilty.  Besides 
his  logical  powers  of  reasoning,  he  was  the  most  eloquent 
lawyer  that  ever  appeared  at  the  bar  in  the  western  part  of 
North  Carolina.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
Churdh  and  often  attended  church  courts,  and  was  by  no 
means  a  silent  member,  but  took  an  active  part  in  whatever 
pertained  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  church.  He  left  a 
record  as  a  jurist  that  any  man  might  well  be  proud  of.  His 
memory  should  be  cheris'hed  by  the  people  of  the  town  and 
county,  and  his  character  emulated  by  the  youth  of  the  State. 
His  widow  still  lives  in  the  city  at  a  good  age,  surrounded  by 
her  son's  family  and  hosts  of  friends  to  cheer  her  in  her 
declining  years. 

J.    HARVEY  WILSON. 

Mr.  J.  Harvey  Wilson,  another  lawyer  of  eminence,  came 
to  the  bar  about  the  same  time  and  took  a  high  stand  with  his 
brethren,  and  also  with  the  people. 

He  came  oi  a  lineage  that  would  have  pushed  to  the  front 


94  HISTORY    OF 

a  man  of  less  natural  ability.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
John  McCamie  Wilson,  D.  D.,  who  was  regarded  as  a 
preacher  of  wonderful  power,  and  had  much  to  do  in  form- 
ing- the  sturdy  character  of  the  people  of  this  section.  Blood 
will  tell  by  cropping  out  in  after  generations;  so  we  are 
always  glad  to  know  that  our  ancestors  were  of  good  blood. 
At  this  time  we  will  only  speak  of  those  w'ho  held  promi- 
nent positions  before  the  century  was  half  over. 


President  Jatmes  Knox  Polk. 

When  1 1  years  old  his  father,  Samuel  Polk,  moved  to 
Tennessee,  and  sent  his  son  James  K,  Polk,  at  a  proper  age, 
back  to  North  Carolina  to  the  University  at  Chapel  Hill, 
where  he  graduated  with  the  highest  honors  of  the  Univer- 
sity. It  is  said  that  he  never  missed  a  college  duty  in  four 
years.  In  those  honest  days  no  wonder  he  became  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  There  is  no  other  man,  for 
whom  is  claimed  three  distinct  places  of  birth,  in  Mecklen- 
b)urg  county.  Each  one  appears  to  be  well  authenticated. 
On  the  south  side  of  Big  Sugar  Creek,  near  the  present  town 
of  Pineville,  was  where  Samuel  Polk  lived;  that  was  the 
place  he  took  his  wife  when  married;  hence  the  neighbors 
say  here  was  the  birthplace  of  President  Polk.  Again,  Mrs. 
Susan  Smart,  the  same  girl  who  was  present  on  the  20th  of 
May,  1775,  then  known  as  Susan  Barnet,  in  1848,  told  Har- 
vey Wilson,  Esq.,  an  eminent  lawyer,  that  President  Polk 
was  born  in  the  house  occupied  by  Richard  Carson,  now 
owned  by  L.  W.  Saunders.  The  child  had  an  enormously 
large  head  when  born — so  much  so  that  all  the  old  women 
and  the  doctors  thought  that  he  would  be  an  idiot,  or  had 
dropsy  of  the  brain.  When  old  Mrs.  Smart  heard  the  re- 
port of  the  child  being  an  idiot,  she  at  once  ordered  her 
carriage  and  drove  up  to  Charlotte  to  see  the  baby  for  her- 
self. When  she  went  into  the  house  she  saw  no  signs  of  a 
Ijaby,  and  she  asked  the  young  mother  where  the  baby  was. 
She  told  her  it  was  in  bed.  "Well,  I  want  to  see  it."  Mrs. 
Polk  went  to  the  bed  and  brought  the  child  out  for  Mrs. 
Smart's  inspection.  After  a  thorough  inspection,  Mrs. 
Smart  said:  "Your  child  is  all  right,  and  will  some  day 
be  President  of  the  United  States."  Mrs.  Polk  was 
delighted  at  the  prophecy,  and  fifty  years  later  Mrs.  Smart 
was  equally  elated  at  the  young  man's  success. 

Mr.  James  P.   Wilson  has  just  given  me  this  version, 


96  HISTORY    OF 

and  was  16  years  old  when  he  heard  Mrs.  Smart  relate  the 
story  to  his  father. 

An  Irish  family  by  the  name  of  Alcorn,  living  fifteen  miles 
northwest  of  Charlotte,  who  came  to  this  country  about  a 
century  ago,  with  three  children;  when  the  oldest  girl  was 
about  13  years  old,  she  was  hired  to  nurse  the  baby,  and 
wait  on  Mrs.  Polk  when  not  busy  with  the  child.  Many 
years  afterwards,  when  the  girl  had  become  an  old  woman, 
she  said  it  was  a  common  thing  for  a  young  woman  to  go 
back  to  her  mother  to  be  confined  with  her  first  child.  Mrs. 
Polk  came  back  to  be  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James 
Knox,  between  Hopewell  and  Huntersville.  This  is  where 
they  lived  and  died.  A  tombstone  in  Hopewell  graveyard 
marks  the  place  where  they  were  buried. 

This  very  plausible  version  of  his  birthplace  was  given  by 
my  venerable  friend,  E.  A.  McCauiay,  Esq.,  who  married  a 
daughter  of  the  nurse  of  the  President.  The  child  and  nurse 
are  now  both  in  the  spirit  land,  where  no  anxiety  about  the 
place  of  either  birth  or  death  will  cause  a  trouble  to  dis- 
quiet their  never  ending  repose. 


William  Davidson. 

William  Davidson  lived  and  was  a  very  active  man  in 
the  first  half  of  the  Nineteenth  century.  He  was  a  man  of 
much  wealth,  owned  many  neg-roes,  was  public  spirited,  and 
did  much  for  the  county.  Mr.  Davidson  represented  Meck- 
lenburg in  the  State  Senate  for  several  years;  first  in  1813, 
then  in  i8i5-'i6-'i7-'i8,  again  in  1825,  and  then  in 
i827-'28-'29.  He  also  served  several  sessions  in  Congress. 
His  family  moved  in  the  best  circles.  His  daughter,  Har- 
riet, married  Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell,  who  practiced  medicine  in 
Charlotte  for  many  years,  and  raised  a  worthy  family.  An- 
other married  a  Mr.  Blake.  They  had  one  son  and  two 
daughters.  They  were  a  handsome  trio.  The  son  was  edu- 
cated at  Annapolis  and  served  in  the  United  States  navy  in 
the  war  with  Mexico,  and  afterwards  till  1861,  when  he 
joined  the  Confederate  States  navy,  and  soon  died  with  hem- 
orrhage of  the  lungs.  The  young  ladies  passed  away  early 
in  life.  Miss  Sarah  Davidson,  another  daughter,  was  gifted 
with  more  than  ordinary  talents;  she  was  well  educated 
and  admired  for  her  mental  attainments,  especially  in  music. 
She  taught  music  for  a  number  of  years,  and  gave  such 
satisfaction  that  she  held  a  high  place  as  a  teacher  of  music 
in  the  opinions  of  eminent  people.  He  left  one  son,  Wil- 
liam, who  was  not  equal  to  his  father,  either  mentally  or 
physically,  yet  he  was  in  the  Legislature,  a  lawyer,  and 
later  in  life  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  who  did  a  great  deal  of 
business.  All  the  older  members  of  the  family  have  passed 
away,  and  but  few  people  now  living  in  the  county  have  any 
knowledge  of  the  Davidson  family.  Something  more  than 
half  a  century  ago  the  Davidson  family  lived  in  a  large 
frame  building  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Trade  and  Tryon 
streets,  now  occupied  by  Burwell  &  Dunn's  drug  store.  All 
that  property — the  entire  front  on  Trade  street  down  to 
Church  street,  has  long  ago  changed  owners,  and  is  now 
busy  with  a  rushing  trade. 


Governor  Nathaniel  Alexander. 

Of  all  the  eminent  men  raised  or  lived  in  Mecklenburg 
county,  but  two  were  ever  elevated  to  the  executive  chair. 
Z.  B.  Vance,  the  pet  of  the  State,  when  the  man  with  the 
iron  heel  had  the  State  by  the  throat  in  1876,  was  elected 
Governor.  At  this  juncture  the  State  was  drawn  from  the 
clutches  of  those  who  were  thriving  upon  her  downfall  and 
humiliation. 

Gov.  Nathaniel  Alexander  was  a  native  of  Mecklenburg. 
He  Avas  a  physician  by  profession,  but  there  is  no  evidence 
that  he  ever  practiced.  He  appears  to  have  been  politically 
inclined,  for  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons in  1797;  a  member  of  the  Senate  in  1801,  and  re- 
elected in  1802.  In  1803  to  1805  he  was  a  member  of  Con- 
gress, and  he  was  in  1805  elected  Governor  of  the  State. 
He  served  but  one  term,  and  there  is  no  evidence  that  he 
ever  courted  popular  favor  after  this.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Polk,  of  more  than  ordinary  fame 
in  Mecklenburg  county.  He  left  no  children — neither  son 
or  daughter — to  inherit  his  name,  or  to  keep  his  fame  fresh 
as  it  passes  down  the  stream  of  time.  He  was  a  man  of 
much  personal  worth  and  respectable  talents.  He  died  and 
was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  in  Charlotte. 

Gov.  Nathaniel  Alexander  was  one  of  five  sons  of  the 
famous  Moses  Alexander.  Gov.  Alexander  had  a  brother, 
William  Alexander,  who  married  Elizabeth  Henderson. 

From  such  a  parentage,  we  are  not  surprised  that  Gov. 
Alexander  should  have  been  the  peoples'  choice  for  Chief 
Magistrate,  as  Gov.  Vance  was  in  1876,  when  the  people 
did  not  know  which  way  to  turn  to  preserve  our  liberty,  or 
escape  a  doom  that  was  worse  than  Poland  at  its  last  over- 
throw in  1790.  "Man's  inhumanity  to  man  has  caused 
countless  thousands  to  mourn." 


Maj.  Green  W.  Caldwell. 

Maj.  Green  \Y.  Caldwell,  long  a  resident  of  Charlotte, 
but  not  a  native,  was  born  in  Gaston,  or  rather  Lincoln 
county,  near  Tiickasege  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  river,  the 
13th  of  April,  181 1.  We  have  no  knowledg^e  of  his  early 
education,  but  he  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Doiierty  near 
Beattie's  Ford,  and  practiced  with  success.  But,  becoming 
dissatisfied  with  the  early  choice  of  professions,  he  aban- 
doned it  for  that  of  the  law.  At  about  this  time  he  moved 
to  Charlotte.  In  1836  h  >  was  elected  a  member  oi  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  was  re-elected  in  i838-'39  an'd 
1840,  and  in  1841  he  WcS  elected  to  Congress,  where  he 
served  but  one  term.  H:s  practice  of  law  was  eminently 
satisfactory.  In  1844  ht  was  appointed  superintendent  of 
the  mint  in  Charlo'tte.  In  1846  he  was  the  unanimous 
choice  of  his  party  (Democratic)  for  Governor,  but  this  he 
declined.  When  the  war  with  Mexico  was  declared,  he  at 
once  resigned  his  appointment  of  superintendent  of  the 
mint,  and  volunteered  for  the  war.  He  secured  the  ap- 
pointment of  captain  of  a  company  of  dragoons,  with  E.  C. 
Davidson,  J.  K.  Harrison  and  Alfred  A.  NoriTian  as  lieuten- 
ants. This  was  a  new  experience  for  the  men ;  but  South- 
ern patriotism  is  the  ruling  passion  with  our  young  men. 
A  company  of  young  men  was  soon  formed,  and  they  were 
soon  off  "for  the  wars  again,"  with  high  hopes  and  bright 
anticipations. 

The  company  did  not  see  much  fighting,  and  when  the 
war  was  over,  the  most  of  them  returned,  and  when  the 
South  had  to  defend  what  their  fathers  won  in  the  revolu- 
tion more  than  seventy-five  years  before,  they  entered  the 
Confederate  army,  where  they  found  real  war.  To-day 
there  are  exceeding  few  to  tell  the  tales  they  heard  in  the 
capital  of  the  Montezumas.  Sergt.  D.  C.  Robinson  is  the 
only  one  of  the  old  guard  now  living  in  Charlotte  who  fol- 


lOO  HISTORY   OF 

lowed  Maj.  Caldwell  to  Mexico.  In  1849  he  was  elected 
to  the  Senate,  with  two  of  his  officers  in  the  lower  house, 
viz.,  Davidson  and  Harrison.  In  a  progressive  country- 
like  ours,  how  soon  are  the  acts  of  the  foremost  citizens  for- 
gotten. 

THE  OPINION  OF  THE  IvADlES. 

The  following  paragraph  was  found  in  the  South  Caro- 
lina and  American  Gacette,  from  the  2nd  to  the  9th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1776: 

"The  young  ladies  of  the  best  families  of  Mecklenburg 
county,  North  Carolina,  have  entered  into  a  voluntary  asso- 
ciation that  they  will  not  receive  the  address  of  any  young 
gentleman  of  that  place  except  the  brave  volunteers  who 
served  in  the  expedition  to  South  Carolina  and  assisted  in 
subduing  the  Scovalite  insurgents.  The  ladies  being  of 
the  opinion  that  such  persons  as  stay  loitering  at  home  when 
the  important  calls  of  the  country  demand  their  military 
services  abroad,  must  certainly  be  destitute  of  that  nobleness 
of  sentiment,  that  brave,  manly  spirit  which  would  qualify 
them  to  be  defenders  and  guardians  of  the  fair  sex.  The 
ladies  of  the  adjoining  county  of  Rowan  have  desired  the 
plan  of  a  similar  association  to  be  drawn  up  and  prepared 
for  signature." 


Matthew  Wa.llace  a-nd  George  Walla.ce. 

George  Wallace,  his  mother  and  two  maiden  aunts,  and 
three  orphan  children,  (their  father,  John,  having  died  in 
Ireland,  their  mother  had  been  raised  up  in  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic faith,  remained  in  Ireland),  came  over  to  America  and 
landed  in  Philadelphia  in  1784.  The  widow  appears  to 
have  been  willing  for  her  children  toi  cross  the  ocean  in  pur- 
suit of  a  better  country,  and  she  married  a  second  time  in  the 
old  country.  Matthew  Wallace,  who  was  a  brother  of  George, 
came  across  the  ocean  with  his  wife  and  six  children,  and 
landed  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  1789.  They  had  one  child 
bom  after  they  came  to  this  country.  We  are  not  informed 
how  the  two  families  came  to  meet  in  Mecklenburg,  when 
George  came  by  the  way  of  Charleston  in  1784,  and  Mat- 
thew by  the  way  of  Philadelphia  in  1789.  But  whether  by 
chance  or  by  appointment,  they  agreed  to  settle  in  the  fertile 
region  that  is  watered  by  the  streams  that  help  make  Mc- 
Coffin's  Creek.  They  came  over  to  this  cotmtry  immedi- 
ately after  the  Revolutionary  war,  when  the  country  was 
wild,  the  untamed  savage  still  roamed  in  the  great  forests 
and  over  the  prairies,  where  the  buffalo  was  still  seen,  and 
the  deer  was  a  frequent  visitor  in  sight  of  the  emigrant's 
cabin. 

One  of  the  noted  men  of  the  times  was  Matthew — 
"Shacklen"  was  his  nick-name.  He  was  a  son  of  Alexan- 
der, a  brother  of  old  Matthew  ("Wheelright  Jimmy")  Wal- 
lace, who  was  known  far  and  near  by  his  occupation,  who 
was  a  son  of  George  Wallace.  Boston  Wallace,  who  died  in 
1897,  was  a  man  oi  fine  sense,  had  no  hesitation  in  express- 
ing his  opinion  on  any  subject  with  which  he  was  acquainted 
without  regard  to  whom  it  affected.  He  was  a  bold,  blunt 
man ;  was  a  prohibitionist  from  principle,  and  could  not  toler- 
ate a  man  who  would  run"fast  and  loose,"  or  who  could  court 
favor  by  sacrificing  principle.     He  was  a  son  of  Alexander 


I02  HISTORY    OF 

Wallace.  The  Wallace  family  were  fond  of  perpetuating 
the  names  of  their  ancestors.  Mr.  "Bob"  Wallace,  of  East- 
field,  is  a  son  of  MatthcAv  Wallace,  Avho  was  a  son  of  John, 
who  came  across  the  ocean  in  childhood. 

EXTRACT  FROM  THE  WRITINGS  OE  ALEXANDER  WALLACE. 

"The  old  set  of  Wallaces  first  emig^rated  from  Scotland 
to  Ireland,  and  from  Ireland  to  America  just  at  the  winding 
up  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  first  set  came  in  1784, 
and  the  next  set  in  17S9.  It  was  said  by  the  old  set  that 
they  left  none  of  their  relations  of  the  name  of  Wallace  in 
Ireland. 

"Jane  Alexander  was  the  name  of  my  great-grandmother, 
which  v/as  the  great-grandmother  of  my  little  boy,  William 
Alexander  Wallace;  and  she  was  buried  at  Sugar  Creek 
church,  with  all  her  children,  except  my  grandfather,  Mat- 
thew, and  he  is  lying  at  Sardis  church.  Matthew  was  the 
name  of  my  great-grandfather.  He  Avas  buried  in  Ireland. 
The  tall,  the  wise,  the  reverend  head,  must  lie  as  low  as 
ours.''  Alex  Wallace. 

"JaneAlexander  was  the  maiden  name  of  my  great-grand- 
mother, who  married  Matthew  Wallace,  who  was  the  father 
of  the  first  named  Matthew  Wallace.  Catherine  Sullevan 
was  the  maiden  name  of  my  great-grandmdther,  who  mar- 
ried Alexander,  or  John  Wallace — not  certain  which  name. 
She  was  the  mother  of  Margaret,  Robert  and  Alexander. 
She  was  left  in  Ireland;  her  husband  lived  there.  This  was 
after  the  Wallaces  brought  her  children  to  America.  The 
old  'set'  brought  their  certificate  of  church  membership 
with  them.  They  were  Psalm  singing  Presbyterians,  and 
their  descendants  to  the  present  day  still  hold  to  only  the 
singing  of  Psalms." 

The  Wallaces  are  amongst  our  best  people,  but  the  men 
were  not  noted  for  their  piety,  but  were  noted  for  energy 


MECKI.KNBURG  COUNTY.  IO3 

and  tlirift.  All  were  in  easy  circumstances,  and  were  noted 
for  their  liberality,  for  being  first-class  farmers,  and  several 
of  them  became  very  wealthy.  During  the  war  between  the 
States,  they  acted  the  part  of  patriots.  Mr.  William  Wal- 
lace, a  grand-son  of  Matthew  Wallace,  was  amongst  the 
finest  looking  men  in  Lee's  army,  and  he  made  a  splendid 
reputation  as  a  cavalry  figfhter;  and,  like  many  of  our  best 
men,  his  body  was  left  on  the  field.  They  were  a  family  of 
large  people,  many  of  them  were  very  fleshy — not  unusual 
to  weigh  250  poim'ds. 

It  was  common  to  distinguish  the  different  members  of 
the  Wahace  family  who  were  called  Matthew  by  giving 
them  a  nick-name,  "Shacklen"  Matthew,  "Bachelor"  Mat- 
thew, "Devil"  Matthew,  etc.  "Devil"  Matthew  was  a  very 
powerful  man,  and  was  selected  in  1845  to  gtiard  the  mint. 
At  that  time  there  were  but  three  mints  in  the  United  States, 
and  consequently  the  mint  was  looked  upon  as  a  place  of 
much  more  importance  then  as  money  was  coined  here, 
than  it  is  now,  as  only  an  assay  office.  Fortunately  nothing 
occurred  while  guarding  the  mint  to  test  his  metal,  or  we 
might  have  quite  a  racy  story  to  write. 


Adatm  Alexa^nder. 

Adam  Alexander,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  of  Independence  and  still  further  known  to  his- 
tory for  his  military  services,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
September  28,  1728,  of  Scotch-Irish  parents. 

He  married  ]\Iary  Shelby,  of  Holston  county,  Maryland, 
of  a  family  which  gave  to  the  cause  of  independence  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution  the  names  oi  Gen.  Evan  Shelby  and 
of  Col.  Isaac  Shelby,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  battle  of 
King's  Mountain,  and  afterwards  the  first  governor  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

About  1750,  when  many  settlements  oi  Scotch-Irish  Pres- 
byterians were  being  made  in  North  and  South  Carolina,  the 
Alexanders  came  to  Mecklenburg  county.  There  were  sev- 
eral branches  of  the  family.  Adam  Alexander  settled  in 
that  section  of  the  county  now  known  as  Clear  Creek.  He 
and  his  family  were  members  of  the  old  Rock  Spring  Pres- 
byterian church,  where  before  the  Revolution  a  pious  con- 
gregaition  worshipped,  mingled  with  their  de\^otions  prayer- 
ful appeals  for  the  final  deliverance  of  their  country  from 
the  approaching  conflict  of  arms  in  a  righteous  cause. 

On  December  18,  1775,  Adam  Alexander  was,  by  the 
Provincial  Congress,  held  at  Johnston  Court  House,  ap- 
pointed Lieutenant-Colonel  of  a  battalion  of  minute  men, 
with  Thomas  Polk  as  Colonel  and  Charles  McLean  as 
Major.  In  the  latter  part  of  May  of  the  same  year,  and  at 
the  suggestion  of  Colonel  Polk,  two  delegates  from  each  of 
the  companies  of  the  county  militia  met  at  Charlotte  with 
power  to  take  such  action  as  might  seem  advantageous  to 
the  colonies.  The  name  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ap- 
pears in  the  list  of  those  patriots  who  drew  up  and  signed 
the  resolutions  which  constitute  the  famous  Mecklenburg 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

During  the  rebellion  of  the  regulators,   he,   with  other 


mec.kle;nburg  county.  105 

officers,  were  ordered  to  bring  their  troops  to  join  Gov. 
Tryon    in    Orange,    now    Guilford    county;    but    finding 
their  men  so  averse  to  fighting  against  their  brother  colo- 
nists, they  sent  the  following  letter  to  the  Governor : 
Gen  Waddeix's  Camp, 
Pott's  Creek,  loth  May,  1771. 

By  a  council  of  officers  of  the  Western  Detachment :  Con- 
sidering the  great  superiority  of  the  insurgents  in  num- 
bers and  the  reso'lution  of  great  part  of  their  own  men  not 
to  fight,  it  was  resolved  tliat  they  retreat  across  the  Yadkin. 
Wm.  Lindsay,  Robert  Shaw, 

Adam  Ai^exander,  Griffith  Rutherford, 

Thomas  Neel,  Samuee  Spencer, 

Fr.  Ross,  Robert  Harris, 

Samuel  Snead. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of 
Mecklenburg  county  by  the  Provincial  Congress  held  at  Hal- 
ifax. He  was  a  brave  and  energetic  officer  and  his  name 
is  found  in  nearly  every  expedition  which  marched  from 
Mecklenburg  county  to  oppose  the  enemies  of  his  country. 

He  was  for  many  years  before  and  after  the  war  an  acting 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  His  name  is  frequently  seen  in  records 
of  church  as  well  as  of  State,  and  tradition  speaks  of  him  as 
bearing  an  excellent  character. 

A  stone  marking  his  grave  beside  that  of  his  wife  in  the 
old  Rock  Spring  graveyard  bears  this  inscription,  appro- 
priate to  his  life  and  character  as  a  patriot  and  soldier: 
^'Colonel  Adam  Alexander,  who  departed  this  life  November 
13,  1798,  aged  70  years  7  months.  The  last  enemy  that 
shall  be  destroyed  is  death." 

Adam  Alexander  had  six  children,  three  sons  and  three 
daughters — Evan  Shelby,  Isaac,  Charles  Taylor,  Sarah  and 
Mary. 

His  eldest  son,  Evan  Shelby,  was  a  graduate  of  Princeton 
in  1787,  a  lawyer  and  a  member  of  the  Ninth  Congress  from 


IC6  HISTORY    OF 

Salisbury  District  (i8o5-'o9),  vice  Nathaniel  Alexander 
elected  governor.  He  died  in  1809,  comparatively  young- 
and  unmarried.  The  other  sons,  Isaac  and  Charles  Taylor, 
have  descendants  now  living  in  this  county,  some  of  whom 
bear  the  name  of  Erwin. 

Of  the  daughters,  the  eldest,  Sarah,  married  Captain  John 
Springs  and  has  many  descendants,  chiefly  through  her 
daughter,  Mary  A.,  who  married  her  cousin,  John  Springs, 
a  son  of  Captain  Richard  Springs,  of  York  comity.  South 
Carolina.  She  has  descendants  also  through  her  son,  Wil- 
liam Polk  Springs,  who  married  another  cousin,  Margaret 
Springs. 

Some  of  the  descendants  of  Adam  Alexander  now  living 
in  this  section,  besides  those  bearing  the  names  of  Alexan- 
der, Springs  and  Erwin,  are  of  the  families  of  Colonel  Wil- 
liam R.  Myers,  Colonel  A.  B.  Davidson,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
Pharr  and  Dr.  Charles  Harris. 

References:  Wheeler's  History  of  North  Carolina,  Hun- 
ter's Sketches  of  Western  North  Carolina,  Family  Record. 
— Contributed  by  Miss  Sophy  Myers. 


Humphrey   Hunter. 

But  few  persons  in  North  Carolina  have  deserved  more 
of  their  country  than  Humphrey  Hunter,  in  his  youth  or 
his  young-  manhood,  or  in  his  maturer  years.  No  one  is 
more  deserving  of  a  pag-e  in  history,  as  one  who  contended 
for  the  freedom  of  his  country,  or  as  a  preacher  of  right- 
eousness. He  was  born  on  the  14th  of  May,  1755,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Londonderry,  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  the  native 
place  of  his  father.  His  paternal  grandmother  was  from 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  his  maternal  grand-father  from 
Brest,  in  F^rance.  The  blood  of  the  Scotch  and  the  Hugue- 
not was  blended  in  Ireland,  and  the  descendant  emigrated 
to  America  and  flourished  in  the  soil  of  Carolina, 

Deprived  by  death  of  his  father  in  his  fourth  year,  yofung 
Hunter  embarked  at  Londonderry  with  his  widowed  mother 
for  Charleston,  S.  C,  on  the  3rd  of  May,  1759,  on  board  the 
ship  Helena.  Arriving  on  the  27th  of  August,  the  family 
in  a  few  days  proceeded  to  Mecklenburg  county.  North 
Carolina,  where  the  mother  purchased  land  in  the  Poplar 
Tent  congregation,  and  remained  for  life.  As  the  enjoy- 
ment of  civil  and  religious  liberty  was  one  of  the  principal 
causes  of  his  mothers  emigratioii,  it  is  not  wonderful  that 
yoimg  Hunter  grew  up  with  a  spirit  jealous  of  encroach- 
ment from  the  English  crown. 

From  the  time  of  his  reaching  Mecklenburg  till  his  twenr- 
tieth  year,  little  is  known  of  him.  We  are  left  to  the  con- 
jecture that  he  grew  up  familiar  with  all  the  labors  and 
privations  of  a  frontier  life,  by  which  he  became  fitted  to 
endure  the  fatigues  and  sufferings  of  a  military  expedition. 
He  attended  the  convention  in  Charlotte  May  20,  1775,  as 
one  of  the  numerous  crowd  of  spectators  assembled  on  that 
exciting  occasion.  In  his  account  of  the  meeting  prefixed 
to  his  copy  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  he  thus 
writes  concerning  the  battle  of  Lexington,  which  took  place 
on  the  19th  of  April: 

"That  was  a  wound  of  a  deepening,  gangrenous  nature, 


I08  HISTORY   OF 

not  to  be  healed  without  amputation.  Intelligence  of  the 
affair  speedily  spread  abroad,  yea  flew,  as  if  on  the  wings  of 
the  wind  collecting  a  storm.  No  sooner  had  it  reached 
Mecklenburg  than  an  ardent,  patriotic  fire  glowed  almost  in 
every  breast;  it  was  not  to  be  confined;  it  burst  into  a  flame; 
it  blazed  through  every  corner  of  the  county.  Communica- 
tions from  oue  to  another  were  made  with  great  facility. 
Committees  were  held  in  various  neighborhoods ;  every  man 
was  a  politician.  Death  rather  than  slavery,  was  the  voice 
comparatively  of  all." 

Soon  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a  regiment 
was  raised  in  Mecklenburg,  under  Col.  Thomas  Polk,  and 
Col.  Adam  Alexander,  to  march  against  some  Tories  who 
were  embodied  in  the  lower  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  Hunter 
went  as  a  private  in  the  company  of  Capt.  Charles  Polk, 
nephew  of  Col.  Thomas  Polk.  The  Tories  dispersed  at  the 
approach  of  this  force,  and  the  regiment  speedily  returned 
without  bloodshed  or  violence. 

Mr.  Hunter  then  com^menced  his  classical  education  at 
Clio  Nursery  (now  Iredell),  under  the  instruction  of  Rev. 
James  Hall.  The  following  certificates,  preserved  by  Mr. 
Hunter,  show  the  order  of  the  congregation,  and  the  care 
with  which  the  morals  of  the  youth  were  watched  over  by 
church  officers  and  instructors  in  schools.  The  first  appears 
to  have  been  required  for  his  honorable  standing  at  Clio's 
Nursery : 

"This  is  to  certify  that  the  bearer,  Humphrey  Hunter,  has 
lived  in  the  bounds  of  this  congregation  upwards  of  four 
years,  and  has  behaved  himself  inoffensively,  not  being 
guilty  of  any  immoral  conduct  known  to  us,  exposing  him 
to  church  censure,  and  is  free  from  public  scandal. 

"Given  under  our  hands  at  Poplar  Tent  this  i8th  day  of 
October,  1778. 

"James  Alexander, 
"J.  Ross, 
"Robert  Harris, 

"Ruling  Elders." 


MECKLKNBURG  COUNTY,  IO9 

When  General  Rutherford  collected  a  brigade  from 
Mecklenburg,  Rowan,  and  Guilford  counties  to  repel  the 
aggressions  of  the  Cherokee  Indians,  Mr,  Hunter  received 
a  commission  of  lieutenant  under  Capt,  Robt,  Mayben,  in 
one  of  the  three  companies  oi  cavalry  that  formed  part  of 
the  corps.  The  campaign  was  successful,  the  Indian  forces 
were  scattered,  and  their  chiefs  taken.  After  this  cam- 
paign, Mr.  Hunter  resumed  his  classical  studies  at  Queen's 
Museum!  in  Charlotte,  under  the  care  of  Dr.  McWhirter,  who 
had  removed  from  New  Jersey  to  take  charge  of  that  insti- 
tution, with  flattering  prospects.  Of  the  moral  and  reli- 
gious character  of  the  young  man,  the  following  certificate 
in  the  handwriting  of  his  instructor  is  testimony,  viz. :  That 
the  bearer,  Humphrey  Hunter,  has  continued  a  student  in 
Clio's  Nursery  from  August,  1778,  till  last  October;  that 
he  applied  to  his  studies  with  diligence;  was  admitted  to 
the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  in  Bethany  congrega- 
tion; has  during  the  aforesaid  time  conducted  himself  as 
a  good  member  both  of  religious  and  civil  society,  and  is 
hereby  well  recommended  to  the  regard  of  any  Christian 
community  where  Divine  Providence  may  order  his  lot — is 
certified  by  James  Hall,  V.  D,  M.,  Bethany,  January  12, 
1780, 

In  the  summer  of  1780,  Liberty  Hall  Academy,  or 
Queen's  Museum,  as  it  was  originally  named,  was  broken 
up  by  the  approach  of  the  British  army  under  Lord  Com- 
wallis,  after  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  and  the  massacre 
of  Buford's  regiment  on  the  Waxhaw,  and  the  course  of 
study  was  never  resumed  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  McWhir- 
ter, who  returned  to  New  Jersey.  Upon  the  breaking  up  of 
the  college,  the  young  students  were  commended  to  their 
parents  and  guardians,  and  the  older  were  urged  to  take 
the  field  in  the  cause  of  their  country.  It  is  not  to  be  sup- 
posed that  young  Hunter  required  much  urging  to  take  up 
arms  with  his  fellow  citizens  of  Mecklenburg,  who  five  years 
before  had  pledged  "their  lives  and  their  honor."  Upon 
the  orders  of  Gen.  Rutherford  to  the  battalions  of  the  west- 


no  HISTORY    OF 

ern  counties  of  the  State,  a  brigade  assembled  at  Salisbury. 
For  the  first  three  weeks  Mr.  Hunter  acted  as  commissary, 
and  afterwards  as  lieutenant  in  the  company  of  Capt. 
Tliomas  Givens.  Having  scoured  the  Tory  settlement  on 
the  northeast  side  of  the  Yadkin,  the  forces  under  Gen. 
Rutherford  joined  the  army  of  Gen.  Gates  at  Cheraw.  On 
the  morning  of  the  i6th  of  August,  the  unfortunate  battle 
of  Camden  took  place  by  the  mutual  surprise  of  the  march- 
ing armies ;  and  the  forces  under  Gates  were  completely 
routed.  Gen.  Rutherford  was  woimded  and  taken  prisoner 
with  many  of  his  men.  Mr.  Hunter,  soon  after  his  surren- 
der as  prisoner  of  war,  witnessed  the  death  of  the  Baron 
de  Kalb.  He  tells  us  he  saw  the  baron,  with  suite  or  aide, 
and  apparently  separated  from  his  command,  ride  facing  the 
enemy.  The  British  soldiers  clapping  their  hands  on  their 
shoulders,  in  reference  to  his  epaulettes,  shouted,  "A  gen- 
eral, a  rebel  general."  Immediately  a  man  on  horseback 
(not  Tarleton)  met  him  and  demanded  his  sword.  The 
baron,  with  apparent  reluctance,  presented  the  hilt,  but 
drawing  back,  said  in  French,  "Are  you  an  officer,  sir?" 
His  antagonist,  perhaps  not  understanding  his  question, 
with  an  oath,  more  sternly  demanded  his  sword.  The  baron 
dashed  from  him,  disdaining,  as  is  supposed,  to  surrender 
to  any  but  an  officer,  and  rode  in  front  of  the  British  line, 
with  his  hand  extended.  The  cry  along  the  line  of  "A  rebel 
general,"  was  speedily  followed  by  a  volley,  and  after  riding 
some  twenty  or  thirty  yards,  the  baron  fell.  He  was  im- 
mediately raised  to  his  feet,  stripped  of  his  hat,  coat,  and 
neck-cloth,  and  placed  with  his  hands  resting  on  the  end  of 
a  wagon.  His  body  had  been  pierced  with  seven  balls. 
While  standing  in  this  situation,  the  blood  streaming 
through  his  shirt,  Cornwallis,  with  his  suit,  rode  up,  and 
being  told  that  the  wounded  man  was  DeKalb,  he  ad- 
dressed him:  "I  am  sorry,  sir,  to  see  you;  not  sorry  that 
you  are  vanquished,  but  that  you  are  so  severely  wounded." 
Having  given  orders  to  an  officer  to  administer  to  the  neces- 
sities of  the  wounded  man  as  far  as  possible,  the  British  gen- 


MKCKLENBURG  COUNTY.  Ill 

eral  rode  on  to  secure  the  victor>%  and  in  a  little  time  the 
brave  and  g-enerous  DeKalb,  who  had  seen  service  in  the 
armies  of  France,  and  had  embarked  in  the  cause  of  the 
American  States,  breathed  his  last. 

After  seven  days  confinement  in  a  prison  yard  in  Cam- 
den, Mr.  Hunter  was  taken,  with  about  fifty  officers,  to 
Orang-eburg-,  S.  C,  where  he  remained  without  hat  or  coat, 
until  Friday,  the  13th  of  November,  about  three  months 
from  the  time  of  his  captivity.  On  that  day  he  went  to 
visit  a  friendly  lady  who  had  promised  him  a  homespun 
coat.  On  his  way  he  was  met  by  a  horseman  of  Col.  Fish- 
er's command,  who  accused  him  of  being-  beyond  the  lines, 
and  sternly  ordered  him  back  to  the  station,  threatening 
him  with  confinement  and  trial  for  breach  of  his  parole. 
Hunter  explained  and  apologized,  and  promised,  but  all  to 
no  purpose.  "To  the  station,"  "Take  the  road/'  Up  the 
road  went  the  rebel  Whig,  sour  and  reluctant,  and  made 
indignant  by  the  frequent  goading"  with  the  point  of  the 
Tory  royalist's  sword.  Passing  a  larg-e  fallen  pine,  from 
which  the  limbs  had  been  burned,  he  suddenly  leaped  the 
trunk.  The  horseman  fired  one  of  his  pistols,  missing  his 
aim,  and  leaped  his  horse  after  him.  Hunter  adroitly  leaped 
the  other  side  the  trunk,  and  began  throwing-  at  the  horse- 
man the  pine  knots  that  lay  thick  around.  The  second  pis- 
tol was  discharged,  but  without  effect.  By  a  blow  of  a 
well  directed  pine  knot,  the  horseman  was  brought  to  the 
ground,  and  disarmed  by  his  prisoner.  Hunter  returned 
the  Tory  his  sword  on  condition  that  he  should  never,  on 
any  condition,  make  known  that  any  of  the  prisoners  had 
crossed  the  forbidden  line,  or  any  way  transgressed,  promis- 
ing himself  to  keep  the  whole  matter  of  the  late  encounter 
an  inviolable  secret. 

On  the  following  Sabbath  a  citation  was  issued  by  Col. 
Fisher,  directing  all  militia  prisoners  to  appear  at  the  court 
house  by  12  o'clock  on  Monday.  The  affair  had  been  dis- 
covered. During  the  contest  the  horse  galloped  off  to  the 
station  with  the  saddle  and  holsters  empty,  and  when  the 


112  HISTORY   OF 

dismounted  rider  appeared  a  little  time  afterward  with  the 
bruises  of  the  pine  knots  too  visible  to  be  denied,  the  curious 
inquiries  that  followed  baffled  all  his  efforts  to  concealment. 
It  was  soon  noised  abroad  that  one  or  more  of  the  prisoners 
had  broken  parole  and  attacked  an  officer.  The  report 
reaching  the  colonel's  ears,  the  order  was  issued  for  their 
appearance  at  the  court  house.  On  Sabbath  night  Hunter  and 
a  few  others,  expecting  close  confinement  would  follow 
their  assembling  on  Monday  noon,  seized  and  disarmed  the 
guard  and  escaped.  He  was  nine  nights  in  making  his 
way  back  to  Mecklenburg,  lying  by  during  the  day  to  avoid 
the  patrols  of  the  British,  and  sustaining  himself  upon  the 
greenest  of  the  ears  of  corn  he  could  gather  from  the  un- 
harvested  fields. 

In  a  few  days  after  his  return  home,  he  again  joined  the 
army,  and  became  a  Lieutenant  of  cavalry  under  Col.  Henry 
Hampton,  and  attached  to  the  regiment  under  Col.  Henry 
Lee,  received  a  wound  i\  che  battle  at  Eutaw  Springs,  where 
so  much  personal  bravery  was  displayed.  His  military 
services  closed  with  that  campaign,  and  he  returned  home 
with  a  good  name,  his  bravery  unquestioned  and  his  integ- 
rity unsullied. 

He  resumed  his  classical  studies  at  the  school  taught  by 
Rev.  Robert  Archibald,  near  Poplar  Tent,  as  appears  by 
the  following  certificate  in  the  irregular  hand  and  crooked 
lines  of  his  preceptor,  which  is  the  only  evidence  at  hand  oi 
the  classical  school  in  that  congregation  immediately  after 
the  war : 

"Mecklenburg,  N.  C, . 

"This  is  to  certify  that  the  bearer,  Humphrey  Hunter, 
has  been  some  years  at  this  school  in  the  capacity  of  a  stu- 
dent, and  during  the  term  has  conducted  himself  in  a  sober, 
genteel  and  Christian  manner;  and  we  recommend  him  as 
a  youth  of  good  character,  to  any  public  seminary  where 
Divine  Providence  may  cast  his  lot.  Certified  and  signed 
by  order  of  the  trustees,  this  3d  day  of  November,  1785. 
"Robert  Archibald,  V.  B.  M." 


MECKLKNBURG  COUNTY.  II3 

A  college  diploma  from  Mount  Zion  College,  at  Winnes- 
boro,  S.  C,  1785,  accredits  him  with  a  good  preparation  to 
enter  upon  the  study  of  the  ministry,  which  he  had  in  view 
for  several  years,  but  was  more  or  less  interrupted  by  the 
war.  Having  pursued  the  study  of  theology  about  two 
years  under  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  he  received 
license  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  the  following  words,  viz. : 

"The  Presbytery  having  examined  Mr.  Humphrey  Hun- 
ter on  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages,  the  sciences  and 
divinity,  and  being  well  satisfied  with  his  moral  and  reli- 
gious character,  and  his  knowledge  of  the  languages, 
sciences,  and  divinity,  do  license  him  to  preach  the  everlast- 
ing Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  affectionately  recommend 
him  to  our  vacancies. 

"James  Edmunds,  Moderator. 
"Robert  Haee,  Presbt.  Clerk. 

"Bullock's  Creek,  Oct.  15,  1789." 

For  the  first  fifteen  years  of  his  ministry  he  preached  in 
a  number  of  places  in  York  District,  S.  C,  also  in  Lincoln 
county.  In  1805  he  settled  in  Steele  Creek,  and  there  he  re- 
mained till  the  year  of  his  death,  1827.  Here  he  was  buried 
with  the  people,  among  whom  he  had  labored  for  more  than 
twenty  years.  His  tombstone  bears  the  following  inscrip- 
tion : 

"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter,  who 
departed  this  life  August  27, 1827,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 
He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  emigrated  to  America  at  an 
early  period  of  his  life.  He  was  one  of  those  who  early  pro- 
moted the  cause  of  freedom  in  Mecklenburg  county  May 
20,  1775,  and  subsequently  bore  an  active  part  in  securing 
the  independence  of  his  country. 

"For  nearly  thirty-eight  years  he  labored  as  a  faithful  and 
assiduous  ambassador  of  Christ,  strenuously  enforcing  the 
necessity  of  repentance,  and  pointing  out  the  terms  of  sal- 
vation.    As  a  parent  he  was  kind  and  affectionate;  as  a. 


114  HISTORY    OF 

friend,  warm  and  sincere,  and  as  a  minister,  persuasive  and 
convincing.     Reared  by  the  people  of  Steele  Creek  Church." 

He  had  certainly  deserved  well  of  his  country,  and  it  not 
only  was  proper,  but  highly  creditable  to  the  citizens  of 
Mecklenburg  to  keep  his  memory  always  green  for  what  he 
did  for  his  country  one  hundred  years  ago. 

In  his  preaching  he  was  earnest,  unassuming,  and  often 
elocjuent.  Possessing  a  strong  mind  with  powers  of  origi- 
nality, and  trained  by  the  discipline  of  a  classical  education 
under  men  capable  of  producing  scholars,  he  consecrated  all 
his  talents  and  acquirements  to  preach  the  everlasting  Gos- 
pel, counting  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus.  He  possessed  in  a  high  degree 
a  talent  for  refined  sarcasm ;  and  his  answer  to  trifles  with 
his  office  or  the  great  truths  of  religion,  and  sticklers  for  un- 
important things  was  a  shaft  from  this  quiver  that  pierced 
to  the  marrow.  His  benevolence  as  a  minister,  and  his  ten- 
derness as  a  neighbor  forbade  its  use  in  his  social'  inter- 
course. Honest  objections  and  difificulties  arising  from 
want  of  knowledge  or  proper  reflection,  he  would  meet 
kindly  with  truth  and  argument;  sophistry  and  cavils  he 
considered  as  deserving  nothing  but  the  lash  which  he  knew 
how  to  apply  till  it  stung  like  a  scorpion.  He  was  a  just 
man.  The  mould  in  which  he  was  cast,  that  peculiarly  be- 
longed to  men  of  that  period,  is  now  obsolete,  and  we  rarely 
see  one  who  approaches  it. 


Hopewell  Church  a-nd  GraLveya.rd. 

Among  the  earliest  settlements  in  the  western  part  of 
North  Carolina,  is  Hopewell  Church.  For  many  months 
before  a  building  was  erected  for  a  place  of  worship,  the 
people  would  assemble  at  or  near  this  place  to  discuss  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  country,  as  well  ais  to 
hold  religious  services,  as  they  could  get  a  supply  from  some 
passing  missio^nary.  The  first  church  was  built  in  the  year 
1765,  ten  miles  northwest  of  Charlotte,  and  two  miles  east 
of  the  Catawba  river.  The  first  house  was  built  of  logs,  an'd 
shaded  on  all  sides,  so  as  to  be  comfortable  for  women  who 
had  yo-ung  children  to  look  after  without  disturbing  the  con- 
gregation; also  to  entertain  large  crowds  who  at  that  time 
thought  it  no  hai^dship  to  ride  horseback  ten  to  fifteen  miles 
to  church. 

In  1830,  or  thereabout,  a  very  handsome  brick  house  took 
the  place  of  the  first,  and  about  i860  it  was  enlarged  and 
capacious  galleries  were  added.  The  old  graveyard  is  full 
of  historic  interest. 

Rev.  John  Williamson  was  pastor  of  Hopewell  from  1818 
to  1842.  His  wife  sleeps  beside  him.  They  were  worthy 
people.  As  far  as  it  is  known,  he  was  the  only  minister 
who  has  ever  been  buried  here.  Hopewell  has  always  been 
blessed  with  preachers  well  equipped  for  their  work,  and 
gave  general  satisfaction. 

The  Hopewell  section  was  thinly  populated  in  1750,  by 
people  moving  from  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  hunting  a 
congenial  climate  to  build  their  home.  Richard  Barry  is 
said  to  have  moved  here  many  years  preceding  the  Revo- 
lutionary war ;  but  we  are  toild  that  he  was  55  years  old  when 
he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Cowan's  Ford;  that  he  and 
his  friend,  David  Wilson,  carried  the  body  of  Gen.  W.  L. 
Davidson,  who  was  killed  February  i,  1781,  and  prepared  it 
for  burial  in  Hoipewell  graveyard.     In  this  spot  it  has  ever 


Il6  HISTORY    OF 

rested,  without  a  marble  shaft  or  even  an  humble  stone,  to 
mark  the  spot  where  one  of  the  noted  patriots  of  Meck- 
lenburg is  buried,  who  gave  his  life  for  the  freedom  of 
America.  It  is  a  shame  that  the  United  States,  the  richest 
and  most  po'werful  nation  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  who  pays 
its  most  ordinary  officers  from  one  thousand  to  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars  a  year,  and  not  contribute  one  dollar  to  mark 
the  graves  of  Gen.  Davidson  and  Gen.  Nash.  A  bill  was 
recently  introduced  in  Congress  to  erect  a  monument  over 
each  of  their  graves  to  cost  $5,000  a  piece,  which  was  de- 
feated. If  they  had  been  from  the  New  England  States, 
government  appropriations  would  have  been  made,  that 
every  school  boy  or  girl  would  have  been  familiar  with 
their  military  powers. 

A  noted  character  of  the  Revolutionaiy  days  was  Capt. 
Francis  Bradly,  a  true  patriot,  who  took  an  active  part  in 
the  skirmish  of  Mclntyre's  Branch  and  was  murdered  No- 
vember 14,  1780,  by  a  small  band  of  Tories.  Physically  he 
was  said  to  be  the  strongest  man  in  the  county. 

Here  alsoi  is  the  grave  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  the 
secretary  of  the  noted  convention  that  met  on  the  20th  of 
May,  1775,  and  made  the  first  and  the  most  defiant  Declar- 
ation of  Independence  that  ever  was  thrown  to  the  breeze  in 
America,  or  in  the  world.  Around  his  grave  are  a  host  of 
his  posterity.  His  two  sons.  Dr.  Joseph  McKnitt,  and  Wil- 
liam Bane  Alexander,  and  one  sister,  Rev.  Mrs.  S.  C.  Cald- 
well, and  a  great  congregation  of  their  descendants.  In 
the  fourth  generation  from  the  old  secretary,  we  see  the 
name  of  Capt.  Francis  Ramsay  Alexander,  a  great-grand- 
son of  John  McKnitt  Alexander — killed  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  in  one  of  the  terrific  battles  in  June,  1864.  We 
see  here  another  evidence  that  the  patriots  of  1775  would 
leave  indelible  impress  of  patriotism  through  many  genera- 
tions. Blood  will  tell.  The  most  numerous  persons  are  of 
the  name  of  Alexander  in  this  city  of  the  dead.  Now  but 
comparatively  few  of  the  old  family  of  Alexanders  are  in  the 
settlement.     They  have  moved  to  other  sections,  and  Strang- 


MECKIvENBURG   COUNTY.  II7 

ers  have  moved  in.  T'he  Barrys  have  all  gone;  the  David- 
sons and  Torrances,  and  Sam  Wilson's  posterity  are  fast 
.disappearing-;  and  their  lands  have  passed  into  hands  of 
strangers.  All  the  great  forests  have  been  cleared  up,  "the 
cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills"  have  disappeared ;  the  fish  that 
stocked  every  creek  and  branch  in  great  abundance,  are  no 
longer  to  be  seen ;  and  the  deer  and  wild  turkey  that  were  in 
former  years  so  plentiful,  now  only  exist  in  stories  of  a 
past  age.  The  w^hole  face  of  the  country  has  been  changed 
within  the  memory  of  an  average  life  time.  Here  lived 
Maj.  John  Davidson,  a  signer  of  the  immortal  document, 
the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  was  in  a  number  of 
engagements  with  the  British  and  Tories.  In  after  life  he 
went  into  the  iron  business  with  his  son-in-law,  Capt.  Bre- 
vard. From  this  neighborhood  came  Gen.  Joseph  Graham, 
who  was  present  in  Charlotte  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  and 
testified  as  to  the  truth  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
After  he  gallantly  served  in  the  war  of  Independence,  he  be- 
came the  sheriff  of  Mecklenburg  county.  His  brother. 
Gen.  George  Graham,  was  a  true  patriot.  He  came  from 
Pennsylvania  in  1764.  He  was  educated  in  Charlotte  at 
Queen's  College,  and  in  1775  he  and  a  few  others  rode  all 
night  to  Salisbun',  seized  the  Tory  lawyers,  Dunn  and 
Booth,  brought  them  to  Mecklenburg,  thence  they  were  car- 
ried to  Camden  and  imprisoned. 

When  Lord  Cornwallis  lay  in  Charlotte  (1780),  Gen. 
George  Graham  was  very  active  in  attacking  his  foraging 
parties.  He  was  one  of  the  band  of  twelve  who  forced  the 
British,  who  had  four  hundred  in  their  foraging  party,  to 
flee  in  such  haste  that  they  reported  to  their  commander 
"there  was  a  rebel  behind  every  bush."  He  was  a  Major- 
General  of  militia  of  North  Carolina.  For  many  years  he 
was  clerk  of  the  court  of  the  county,  and  was  frequently  a 
member  of  the  Legislature.  He  died  in  1826,  and  was 
buried  in  the  old  grave  vard  in  Charlotte. 


15he  Pe.rt  Mecklenburg  Took  ii\  the  War  With 
Mexico. 

North  Carolina  furnished  one  regiment  of  infantry  only, 
to  prosecute  the  war  with  Mexico,  but  Mecklenburg  took  no 
part  in  the  formation  of  the  regiment.  The  county  raised  a 
company  of  Light  Horse,  Capt.  A.  J.  Harrison  and  Lieut. 
E.  C.  Davidson  being  commissioned  to  organize  a  company 
of  Dragoons.  When  the  company  was  full,  they  went  to 
Charleston,  S.  C,  and  were  conveyed  by  transports  to  Vera 
Cruz.  They  were  in  no  such  battles  as  we  had  in  Virginia 
in  i86i-'65,  but  did  much  service  in  guarding  wagon  trains 
and  skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  The  company  returned 
home,  having  performed  their  duty,  and  were  honored  by 
the  people  at  home  and  the  ofHcers  honored  with  seats  in  the 
State  Legislature. 


Banks  and  BaLnking. 

Independence  was  declared  for  fifty  years  before  a  bank 
was  ever  opened  in  Charlotte  to  transact  business;  prob- 
ably it  was  not  needed  at  an  earlier  period.  In  the  earlier 
years  of  the  century,  except  in  seaport  towns,  there  was 
comparatively  but  little  money  in  circulation,  and  but  little 
trade  was  effected.  The  first  in  Charlotte  was  a  branch  of 
the  State  Bank  in  1834.  It  did  some  business,  in  a  general 
way,  but  issued  no  bills  less  than  $3.00.  Each  State  issued 
bills  for  its  own  use.  but  nearly  all  were  discounted  more  or 
less.  South  Carolina  money  commanded  a  higher  premium 
than  most  any  other  State. 

In  1853,  the  Bank  of  Charlotte  started  to  do  business, 
and  had  a  fine  beginning.  Henry  B.  Williams  was  presi- 
dent, with  Wm.  Lucas  cashier.  Some  changes  were  made 
afterwards  and  all  monied  institutions  went  up  when  the 
Confederacy  fell.  We  were  then  poor  indeed ;  no  banks,  or 
money  deposited  of  any  kind.  Those  who  had  been  our 
richest  men  and  were  able  to  help  those  who  were  not  so 
fortunate,  were  now  on  a  par  with  our  poorest. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  years  our  people  seemed  to  take  on 
new  life;  farm  produce  commanded  good  prices,  and  if  the 
Yankees  had  not  molested  our  people,  we  would  have  seen 
better  times. 

Tate  &  Dewey's  Bank  started  to  do  a  considerable  busi- 
ness, put  out  bills  with  a  free  hand,  and  the  people  encour- 
aged the  bank  by  depositing  there  all  their  surplus.  Its 
career  was  short.  Mr.  Dewey  died  and  the  bank  collapsed ; 
no  assets  of  any  consequence  were  left;  many  people  lost 
heavily;  the  bubble  burst  and  a  nine-days'  wonder  was  all 
that  was  left. 


Sonne  aj  the   Prominent  Citizens  in  the  First 
Hatlf  of  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

About  the  year  1830,  Chevalier  de  Riva  Finola,  an  Italian 
nobleman,  was  sent  here  as  the  president  of  a  mining-  com- 
pany. He  was  an  expert  as  a  mining  engineer,  but  we  are 
at  a  loss  to  know  how  long  his  stay  was  protracted,  or  what 
success  he  had.  Probably  not  a  dozen  men  in  the  county 
have  ever  heard  his  name.  While  here  he  lived  in  the 
house  that  was  afterwards  occupied  by  Joseph  Wilson,  the 
great  lawyer  and  solicitor,  and  for  many  years  by  W.  J. 
Yates,  the  well-known  editor  of  The  Charlotte  De7n\ocrat. 
Recently  the  house  has  been  moved  back  on  West  Morehead 
street.  Seventy  years  ago  an  Italian  of  royal  blood  lived 
in  Charlotte,  and  employed  a  mulatto  barber  by  the  name 
of  Paulidon  Brickett,  to  shave  and  dress  his  hair  every 
morning.  So  the  plain  people  of  Mecklenburg  had  a  live 
prince  among  them,  who  moved  about  in  European  fashion. 

Humphrey,  Titus  and  Edward  Bizzell  moved  to  this 
county  probably  somewhat  later;  but  Edward  Bizzell  was 
mayor  of  the  town  for  a  short  time  just  after  the  war.  They 
were  natives  of  New  York.  They  came  as  mining  experts, 
and  were  very  liberal  in  spending  money  for  the  company. 
They  got  possession  of  several  large  tracts  of  land,  but  did 
not  have  good  titles.  What  is  known  as  Bizzell's  Mill,  was 
one  of  their  places.  This  mill  was  in  operation  before  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  is  where  Lord  Cornwallis  got  his 
grinding  done  during  his  short  stay  in  Charlotte.  They 
have  gone  the  way  of  the  world  without  leaving  any  posterity 
to  perpetuate  the  name.  In  company  with  them  came  a 
man  named  Penman.  He  was  a  native  born  Eng-lishman, 
stood  well  with  the  nobility,  and  was  sent  over  here  to  take 
charge  of  some  gold  mines  that  were  supposed  to  be  very 
rich,  and  some  of  them  sustained  the  character  for  half  a 
century  that  was  given  them ;  but  probably  more  money  was 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  121 

Spent  in  developing-  them  than  they  ever  yielded  their 
owners. 

Penman  was  a  large,  red-faced,  typical  Englishman,  and 
was  used  to  being  waited  upon.  He  brought  his  body  ser- 
vant with  him,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Goodluck.  Every 
morning  the  servant  would  groom  his  master  with  as  much 
care  as  our  former  slaves  would  our  race  horses ;  then  saddle 
his  master's  horse  and  mount  his  own,  riding  a  respectful 
distance  behind,  but  near  enough  to  take  his  master's  horse 
the  moment  he  would  light.  This  was  the  usual  pro- 
gramme. At  any  rate,  this  kind  of  service  was  kept  up  for 
several  months.  Wherever  Penman  would  turn,  Goodluck 
v/ould  have  to  be  on  hand  to  obey  every  behest. 

Mr.  David  Henderson,  a  near  neighbor,  suggested  to 
Goodluck  that  he  was  as  free  as  Penman,  and  he  was  not 
obliged  to  wait  on  him ;  in  fact,  he  advised  him  not  to  make 
himself  a  "nigger"  for  any  man.  Goodluck  at  once  quit 
his  employer.  James  P.  Henderson — a  distant  relative  of 
David  Henderson — thought  he  knew  a  good  thing  when  he 
saw  it,  immediately  applied  for  the  vacant  place  and  was 
accepted,  and  was  duly  inducted  into  the  office  of  'Squire  for 
the  Knight  of  the  Golden  Dream  around  Charlotte.  This 
was  an  era  of  gold  hunting  that  has  only  been  rivaled  once 
in  fifty  years.  Tames  P.  Henderson  was  not  ashamed  to 
work  for  money  in  a  legitimate  way.  This  service  lasted  but 
a  short  time.  He  married  a  woman  of  brilliant  mental  at- 
tainments— a  daughter  of  Dr.  Matthew  Wallace — raised 
four  children  far  above  the  average  in  mental  acumen. 

Capt.  Penman  had  an  associate  or  fellow  helper,  by  the 
name  of  Penworthy,  in  his  mining  operations.  They  were 
a  lively  pair,  and  spent  their  money  most  lavishly,  not  to  see 
how  much  good  they  could  do,  but  to  see  how  good  a  time 
they  could  have.  It  has  always  been  the  same  old  story, 
that  every  dollar  made  by  mining,  it  cost  ten  dollars  to 
get  it. 

About  1845,  Capt.  Penman  abandoned  mining  and  set  his 
face  towards   the  ministry,   after  being  converted  to  the 


122  HISTORY    OF 

Methodist  faith.  He  then  became  a  preacher — a  winner  of 
souls  for  the  Kingdom  of  Christ.  In  the  latter  part  of  his 
life  he  behaved  very  civilly  and  did  not  need  so  much  wait- 
ing on.  The  two  women  who  lived  with  him,  and  whom 
he  passed  off  as  his  sisters,  are  now  forgotten,  "having 
neither  name  nor  place"  to  let  those  who  come  after  know 
that  they  ever  occupied  a  place  in  the  county.  Mining  for 
gold  was  carried  on  very  extensively  in  the  first  twenty-five 
years  of  the  century,  but  their  methods  were  very  crude,  and 
unsatisfactory.  Costly  machinery  was  not  put  in  the  shafts, 
as  the  time  for  heavy  expense  had  not  arrived,  for  when  a 
profit  was  not  yielded  directly,  it  was  considered  that  much 
was  lost. 


^he  Champions  of  the  Northern  and  Southern 
Parts  of  the  County. 

In  tlie  iirst  part  of  the  century  it  was  the  custom  of  the 
times  for  each  section  of  the  county  to  have  one  man  who 
was  noted  as  the  champion,  or  "bully,"  of  his  precinct. 
At  a  general  muster  of  the  county,  in  which  both  the  in- 
fantry and  cavalry  participated,  in  the  presence  of  an  im- 
mense crowd,  in  the  year  1835,  j^st  east  of  the  present  site 
of  the  Episcopal  Orphanage,  met  the  two  "best  men,"  or 
champions  of  the  county.  The  sporting  characters  were 
not  long  in  spotting  their  game.  Arrangements  were  soon 
made  for  "Devil"  Matthew  Wallace  and  Frank  Nealy  to 
fight  till  one  or  the  other  hollered  out  "enough."  A  ring 
was  quickly  made,  the  combatants  stripped  to  the  waist, 
judges  were  appointed  to  see  that  no  foul  play  was  taken 
by  either  side.  It  was  then  announced  that  the  fight  would 
begin  at  the  signal.  In  a  twinkling,  the  time-honored  gen- 
eral muster  came  to  a  close,  every  man  seemed  to  break 
ranks  on  his  own  authority  and  a  grand  rush  was  made  for 
the  arena  of  the  athletes,  where  two  modern  Hercules  were 
striving  for  the  mastery.  Boys  and  young  men  climbed 
trees  that  grew  near  the  spot  that  they  might  witness  the 
terrific  combat.  Almost  at  the  beginning  of  the  contest 
Nealy  threw  (or  knocked)  Wallace  down,  and  rained  terriffic 
blows  in  Wallace's  face,  while  Wallace  let  his  blows  into 
Nealy's  sides  and  chest.  Nealy  was  considerably  taller 
than  his  antagonist,  but  Wallace  was  the  heaviest,  and  said 
to  be  double-jointed.  He  had  double  breasts,  well  devel- 
oped. When  thoroughly  exhausted,  Wallace  hollered 
"enough."  They  were  separated,  laid  in  the  shade  and 
sponged  with  cold  water.  They  were  both  covered  with 
blood.  In  one  hour  Wallace  proposed  to  fight  it  over,  but 
Nealy  was  too  exhausted,  and  declined. 


Blind  Dick. 

However  humble  an  individual  may  be,  we  must  not  for- 
get that  he  is  a  part  of  the  whole,  and  may  be  known  to  all 
the  citizens  of  a  small  town,  especially  if  respectful  and 
makes  himself  useful.  Long-  before  the  middle  of  the  last 
century,  in  the  heyday  of  American  civilization,  the  man 
blind  Dick  was  probably  the  most  noted  negro  in  the  county. 
He  was  a  slave,  the  property  of  Lawyer  James  Hutchison. 
He  was  a  noted  landmark  in  the  town  for  more  than  twenty 
years  before  the  great  civil  war,  and  lived  for  several  years 
afterwards.  His  master  gave  him  his  time  and  protected 
him  from  evil-disposed  persons.  He  contracted  with  sev- 
eral persons  to  feed  and  water  and  curry  horses,  carry  fresh 
water  to  a  nimiber  of  rooms  or  offices,  black  boots,  make 
fires  and  do  sundry  turns.  He  went  about  everywhere  by 
himself,  feeling  his  way  with  his  stick.  Almost  every  per- 
son in  the  county  knew  Blind  Dick.  He  was  very  polite 
and  respectful  to  every  pne,  and  every  one  wished  to  help 
him  along,  so  he  was  well  cared  for.  Once  while  carrying 
a  bushel  basket  of  fine  apples  on  his  head  along  the  street,  a 
gentleman  standing  in  his  door  reached  up  and  picked  an 
apple  off  the  basket,  which  Dick  at  once  perceived,  and 
struck  with  great  force  where  he  supposed  the  offender  was 
who  had  taken  the  fruit  that  had  been  entrusted  to  his  care. 
Dick  was  regarded  as  honest,  and  always  bore  a  good  name 
from  white  people. 

H  the  great  events  that  occurred  in  the  county  should  be 
preserved  with  fidelity,  why  should  those  of  lesser  grade  be 
passed  over  in  silence.  It  is  our  desire  to  treat  all  subjects 
fairly ;  even  slavery  that  we  not  only  tolerated,  but  defended 
for  one  hundred  and  fifty  years. 


Negroes  Before  the  Wa.r  Between  the  States. 

From  the  lime  Mecklenburg  county  was  the  home  of  the 
Caucasian  race — long-  before  the  meets  and  bounds  of  the 
county  were  designated  or  cut  off  from  Anson,  the  negro 
was  employed  as  the  slave  of  white  men.  At  that  early  day 
they  were  not  numerous  according  to  population,  but  as  the 
population  increased  they  became  more  numerous.  The 
price  in  the  early  times  for  a  grown  negro,  either  man  or 
woman,  did  n.ot  exceed  three  hundred  dollars;  but  before  the 
Nineteenth  century  was  half  over,  the  price  of  a  good  look- 
ing man  or  woman  would  range  from  $1,000  to  $1,800.  The 
market  price  varied  according  to  the  price  of  sugar,  rice, 
tobacco  and  cotton.  In  this  county  it  was  no  uncommon 
thing  to  find  the  finest  blacksmiths,  carpenters,  tanners,  shoe- 
makers, and  in  fact  all  kinds  of  mechanics  among  the  slaves. 
In  the  rice  plantations  of  South  Carolina,  the  great  cotton 
fields  of  the  more  tropical  States  of  the  South,  and  wherever 
the  negroes  were  worked  under  the  overseers  of  the  South- 
ern States,  they  did  not  have  the  advantages  that  were  to  be 
had  in  Mecklenburg,  where  none  of  the  great  crops  were 
raised  to  the  exclusion  of  the  cereals.  But  few  large  slave 
holders — compared  to  those  who  owned  but  a  few,  or  none 
at  all — lived  in  the  county.  In  the  first  sixty  years  of  the 
century,  scarcely  a  half  dozen  people  in  the  county  were  fed 
in  the  Poor  House.  Now  in  the  beginning  of  the  Twenti- 
eth century  about  sixty — on  an  average — find  quarters  there, 
of  both  white  and  black.  The  population  of  both  races  have 
increased  rapidly  in  the  last  forty  years.  The  negroes  have 
increased  in  an  accelerated  ratio  in  the  last  twenty  years, 
owing  to  the  rapid  increase  of  population  of  Charlotte  as  a 
commercial  and  manufacturing  centre. 

The  negroes  are  abundantly  provided  with  church  and 
school  facilities,  although  they  were  denied  the  privilege 
of  going  to  school  or  acquiring  an  education  when  in  a  state 


126  HISTORY    OF' 

of  slavery.  Now  they  are  on  an  equal  footing  with  white 
children,  in  educational  advantages,  as  the  State  provides 
public  schools. 

But  to  speak  of  the  negro  in  slavery  in  the  county,  was 
the  object  in  view,  that  the  young  people  might  understand 
they  had  more  real  enjoyment  prior  to  1865  than  they  have 
ever  had  since. 

The  affection  that  existed  between  master  and  slave  was 
wonderful  indeed.  It  was  common  when  the  white  chil- 
dren should  be  sick,  for  the  negroes  to  show  a  great  deal  of 
solicitude  for  the  little  one's  welfare.  Whfen  B.  A.  John- 
ston volunteered  in  the  Confederate  army,  Company  C, 
Thirty-seventh  Regiment,  Mrs.  Johnston  sent  the  family 
servant,  Lige,  to  wait  on  and  to  nurse  him  in  case  of  sick- 
ness. In  May,  1864,  Lieut.  Johnston  was  killed  and  the 
enemy  held  the  part  of  the  field  where  he  fell.  When  the 
news  was  carried  to  the  rear  and  Lige  was  told  of  his  mas- 
ter's death,  c.nd  his  body  was  in  the  Yankee  lines,  he  cried 
like  a  child  and  said :  "How  can  I  go  home  to  mistress  and 
master,  and  leave  Mars  Alic's  body  in  the  hands  of  the  en- 
emy.    I'd  rather  die  than  tell  them." 

They  were  true  to  their  master's  interests  during  the 
war.  During  all  these  four  years  of  war,  when  only  the 
old  men  and  women  were  left  at  home,  not  a  woman  was  in- 
sulted, or  a  house  was  burned  by  negroes;  but  things  were 
as  quiet  and  orderly  as  if  the  men  were  at  home  and  no  war 
in  the  coimtry.  Their  behavior  was  unparalleled  in  the 
annals  of  our  country  for  more  than  one  hundred  years. 

Strange  that  they  should  aid  in  perpetuating  their  bond- 
age by  their  good  behavior  and  raising  good  crops  to  feed 
the  Southern  army. 

It  is  characteristic  of  the  negro  to  be  happy  when  well 
fed,  well  clothed  and  not  oppressed  with  over  work.  The 
fiddle  and  the  banjo  were  their  instruments  of  music,  and 
when  not  forbidden,  one-half  of  the  night  was  consumed  in 
social  enjoyment.  In  ante  bellum  times  the  principal  ration 
issued  the  slaves  was  corn  bread,  fried  bacon  and  butter- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  1 27 

milk  for  breakfast ;  boiled  bacon,  cow  peas,  corn  bread  and 
vegetables  for  dinner;  and  for  supper,  bread  and  milk.  On 
this  diet  thsy  were  able  to  do  heavy  work,  viz.,  cut  (with  a 
scythe  and  cradle)  one  hundred  dozen  of  wheat,  or  make  two 
hundred  rails  in  a  day,  which  was  an  ordinary  task.  They 
increased  rapidly  and  their  children  seldom  ever  died.  Their 
mistress  took  the  oversight  of  the  babies,  while  their  mothers 
would  be  in  the  jfield.  The  negroes  were  peculiarly  subject 
to  typhoid  fever  epidemics,  and  proved  fatal  in  many 
cases.  Since  their  freedom  they  do  not  have  it.  In  slavery 
they  were  almost  free  from  consumption;  now  a  large  part 
of  them  die  with  it.  Their  diet  has  a  great  deal  to  do 
with  it. 

The  negroes  in  the  time  of  slavery  were  emphatically  reli- 
gious people.  Often  carried  away  by  their  emotions,  they 
were  easily  thrown  into  a  state  of  enthusiasm  or  excitement 
that  rendered  them  oblivious  to  all  else  for  the  time.  Some 
times  they  would  simulate  a  condition  of  trance,  and  remain 
in  a  semi-conscious  state  for  hours.  This  state  of  mind 
would  last  but  a  few  days,  when  they  would  regain  their 
usual  happy  condition.  They  attended  the  churches  of  the 
white  people.  There  was  no  such  thing  in  slavery  times  as 
negro  churches.  It  was  usual  to  build  a  gallery  in  every 
church  for  the  accommodation  of  the  negroes.  On  com- 
munion Sabbaths,  or  other  days  when  camp-meetings  were 
held,  very  large  crowds  of  them  would  be  present,  and 
dressed  in  their  best  clothes,  could  excel  the  whites  in  gal- 
lantry and  general  attention  to  the  women.  This  was  their 
happiest  time.  There  was  not  a  half  dozen  cruel  masters  in 
all  of  Mecklenburg  county.  A  man  that  was  cruel  to  his 
negroes  was  taboed  by  the  white  people  in  general,  and 
would  not  oe  received  into  polite  society.  In  the  fall  of  the 
year,  when  their  crops  would  be  gathered,  long  piles  of  com 
drawn  into  the  barn  yard  and  prepared  to  be  shucked  by 
all  the  hands  in  the  neighborhood — the  expectation  of  the 
rich  supper  that  awaited  them,  premised  by  a  treat  of  the 
best  whiskey  or  brandy  (that  could  be  bought  for  35  cents 


128  HISTORY    OF 

a  gallon)  that  produced  lively  anticipations.  The  heap  was 
soon  divided,  the  two  captains  chose  their  men,  a  lively  corn 
song  was  raised,  and  with  great  animation  the  long  pile  of 
corn  was  quickly  shucked,  with  loud  huzzars  and  great  re- 
joicing of  the  victors.  After  their  vociferous  rejoicings 
had  subsided,  they  would  wend  their  way  to  the  supper 
table  where  a  bountiful  repast  awaited  their  arrival.  When 
all  had  partaken  of  the  bounty,  they  were  assigned  to  a  room 
where  the  furniture  had  been  removed,  when  the  fiddle  and 
the  banjo  played  "Old  Jimmie  Suddentie,"  and  other  pieces 
suited  for  the  "light  fantastic  toe."  This  was  kept  up  till 
midnight,  when  they  would  all  disperse  and  go  to  their 
homes.  These  were  the  happiest  days  of  the  race;  and  it  is 
a  great  consolation  to  the  people  of  the  South  that  the  pres- 
ent deplorable  condition  of  the  negro  cannot  be  laid  at  our 
doors.  "Shake  not  thy  gory  locks  at  me;  thou  canst  not 
sav  I  did  it." 


J3he    SiZk.\Q    Lqlws    in    the    First    Half    ^f    the 
Nineteenth    Century. 

In  the  first  half  of  the  19th  century  the  State  laws  were 
much  more  strict  and  rig"id  than  they  were  at  its  close. 
Many  offenses  were  then  not  noticed.  A  thief  was  more  apt 
to  get  the  penalty  of  the  law  than  a  homicide  or  even  a  mur- 
derer. As  civilization  grew  older,  the  branding  iron  was  fre- 
quently called  in  to  mark  the  man  guilty  of  manslaughter. 
It  was  also  called  into  requisition  for  perjury,  but  more  fre- 
quently the  punishment  for  false  swearing  was  to  nail  the 
lobe  of  the  ear  to  a  whipping  post  and  cut  the  ear  from 
the  head.  For  manslaughter,  the  side  of  the  face,  or  the 
palm  of  the  hand  was  strongly  bound  to  the  railing  by 
leather  straps,  when  the  branding  iron,  with  the  letters  "M. 
S."  heated  red  hot,  was  held  011  the  cheek  or  in  the  palm  of 
the  hand,  till  the  criminal  or  his  attorney  would  say  three 
times,  "God  save  the  State."  But  however  glib  with  the 
tongue  the  attorney  might  be,  the  smoke  arising  from  the 
quivering  flesh  would  reach  the  top  of  the  court  room,  or 
"The  Temple  of  Justice." 

The  lash  was  the  only  remedy  for  stealing,  and  was 
often  made  use  of  for  minor  offenses.  Thirty-nine  was  the 
limit,  but  in  bad  cases  the  whipping  could  be  repeated  in  ten 
days.  Imprisonment  for  debt  was  very  common,  keeping 
the  debtor  in  prison  for  thirty  days ;  then  if  he  could  swear 
he  was  not  worth  40  shillings,  he  was  released,  and  no 
further  prosecution  could  be  had  against  him,  but  was  free. 

The  whipping  post,  the  stocks  and  pillory,  branding  irons, 
were  institutions  that  proved  a  holy  terror  to  law-breakers 
in  general,  and  were  kept  on  the  statute  books  for  the  benefit 
of  the  unruly  until  1867.  While  we  were  under  military 
despotism  during  reconstruction  days,  our  people  were  for- 
bidden the  use  of  corporeal  punishment. 

As  a  substitute,  though  a  poor  one,  we  made  use  of  the 


130  HISTORY   OF 

chain  gang,  and  as  soon  as  possible  the  penitentiary  was 
gotten  under  way.  Then  was  inaugurated  a  "School  for 
Scoundrels." 

Mecklenburg  has  reaped  her  full  share  of  the  evils  of  such 
an  institution.  The  penitentiary  costs  very  heavy,  and  is  a 
foot  ball  to  be  kicked  about  by  whichever  party  has  the 
power  of  filling  the  offices.  But  for  the  last  twenty  years 
since  the  county  has  engaged  in  building  and  constructing 
Macadamized  county  roads,  wherever  the  nature  of  the 
crime  will  admit  of  it,  the  criminal  is  made  to  work  for  the 
county.  Where  the  crimes  have  been  very  heinous,  they 
are  sent  to  the  State  prison.  But  no  punishment  is  so  cheap 
or  so  effective  as  the  stocks  and  whipping  post.  But  we 
have  to  keep  up  with  the  procession.  At  this  stage  of  civiliza- 
tion it  was  customary  to  adopt  the  easiest  and  quickest  way  to 
take  game  without  regard  to  damages  that  may  be  sus- 
tained by  other  people.  In  the  early  part  of  the  century  it 
was  very  common  for  people  to  go  deer  stalking;  that  is,  to 
hunt  deer  with  a  pan  of  fire  fastened  with  a  strap  on  the 
back  between  the  shoulders,  with  rich  pine  laid  across  the 
pan  to  make  a  brilliant  light,  so  that  the  eye  was  blinded  by 
the  dazzling  torch  so  that  the  hunter  could  come  up  close 
and  ''shine  their  eyes;"  could  take  good  aim,  and  have  no 
■difficulty  in  taking  their  game.  But  this  plan  had  its  draw- 
backs as  it  is  impossible  to  tell  by  the  "shining  eyes" 
whether  it  was  a  calf,  sheep,  colt  or  deer.  Consequently  a 
■special  law  was  passed  against  fire  hunting,  making  it  a  mis- 
demeanor, punishable  with  thirty-nine  lashes  on  the  bare 
back.  It  soon  broke  up  this  style  of  hunting.  Many  of  the 
little  misdemeanors,  more  annoyances  than  loss  of  property, 
were  subject  to  whipping  at  the  discretion  O'f  the  magis- 
trate's court.  But  in  many  cases  the  thief  was  permitted  to 
run  away,  commonly  called  "taking  leg  bail."  But  old 
things  have  passed  away  and  all  things  have  become  new. 


Biographical  Sketches. 

GEN.  GEORGE  GRAHAM, 

He  was  a  resident  of  Mecklenburg-,  and  a  brother  of  Gen. 
Jo'Seph  Graham.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1758, 
and  came  with  his  mother  and  family  to  North  Carolina 
when  about  six  years  old.  He  was  educated  in  Charlotte, 
and  at  an  early  age  espoused  the  cause  of  his  country.  In 
1775,  he,  with  a  few  others,  rode  all  night  to  Salisbury, 
seized  the  Tory  lawyers,  Dunn  and  Booth,  brought  them 
to  Mecklenburg,  and  from  thence  they  were  carried  to  Cam- 
den and  imprisoned.  When  Cornwallis  lay  at  Charlotte, 
he  was  very  active  in  attacking  his  foraging  parties.  He 
was  the  leader  of  the  attack  at  Mclntyre's,  six  or  seven  miles 
from  Charlotte,  on  the  Beattie's  Ford  Road,  and  actually, 
with  twelve  men,  compelled  the  foraging  party  of  four  hun- 
dred English,  to  fall  back  in  utter  confusion.  He  was 
Major-General  of  militia  of  North  Carolina.  For  a  long 
time  clerk  of  the  court,  and  often  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture. He  died  the  29th  of  March,  1826.  He  was  buried 
in  the  old,  or  first  cemetery  in  Charlotte.  The  following 
inscription  is  upon  his  tombstone : 

"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Major-General  George  Gra- 
ham, who  died  on  the  29th  of  March,  1826,  in  the  68th  year 
of  his  age." 

He  lived  more  than  half  a  century  in  the  vicinity  of  this 
place,  and  was  a  zealous  and  active  defender  of  his  country's 
rights  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  one  of  the  gallant 
twelve  who  dared  to  attack,  and  actually  drove  four  hun- 
dred British  troops  at  Mclntyre's,  seven  miles  north  of 
Charlotte,  on  the  3d  of  October,  1780.  George  Graham 
filled  many  high  and  responsible  public  trusts,  the  duties 
of  which  he  discharged  with  fidelity.     He  was  the  peoples' 


132  HISTORY   OF 

fiiend,  not  their  flatterer,  and  uniformly  enjoyed  the  un- 
hmited  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

WM.    LHE  DAVIDSON. 

Wm.  Lee  Davidson,  Esq.,  was  a  son  of  Gen.  Davidsom, 
w'ho  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Cowan's  Fofd,  and  lived  near 
Davidson  College;  in  fact,  the  colleg^e  was  called  for  his 
father,  and  he  did  much  to  help  get  it  in  working  order.  He 
was  a  man  of  fine  intellect,  and  did  much  for  the  county, 
but  being  a  Whig  in  politics,  was  in  a  hopeless  minority.  In 
1850  he  moved  to  Alabama,  and  engaged  in  planting  cot- 
ton. He  was  a  large  and  successful  farmer.  He  was  mar- 
ried twice,  but  raised  nO'  children.  He  died  about  the 
close  of  the  war,  in  1865.  He  was  an  enthusiast  in  silk  cul- 
ture in  1845.  He  planted  an  orchard  of  (multicaulus) 
mulberry  trees  to  feed  the  silk  worms.  He  was  very  suc- 
cessful in  raising  the  worms  and  also  in  having  the  co- 
coons spun,  but  could  not  find  a  market  for  the  product,  and 
of  course,  the  industry  was  abandoned.  This  was  a  great 
"fad"  over  the  country  that  yielded  but  little  fruit,  but  left 
an  experience  that  has  served  to  warn  against  indulging  in 
an  industry  that  failed  to-  "pay." 

PATRICK    JOHNSTON. 

Patrick  Johnston,  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  1787;  was  an  expert  weaver  by  trade.  He  married 
Miss  Annie  Wall.  They  worked  hard  and  were  saving,  and 
soon  accumulated  a  handsome  estate.  He  had  three  sons 
and  two  daughters.  James  Johnston  and  Houston  John- 
ston lived  near  the  home  place,  between  Beattie's  Ford  and 
Davidson  College.  They  were  good  citizens,  accumulated 
propertv,  were  large  tax-payers,  but  were  a  s'hort-lived  fam'- 
ily. 

Mary  married  Samuel  Lowrie,  a  son  of  Judge  Samuel 
Lowrie,  and  lived  on  the  Beattie's  Ford  road,  seventeen  miles 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I33 

northwest  of  Charlotte.  Mr.  Lowrie  died  in  Missouri  in 
1846,  of  yellow  fever,  and  Mrs.  Mar)^  Lowrie  died  in  1849, 
leaving  four  sons  and  ome  daugfhter.  The  sons  all  volun- 
teered in  the  army.  Houston,  a  captain  in  the  Sixth  Regi- 
ment, N.  C.  T.,  was  killed  at  Sharpsburg,  Md.,  September 
ij,  1862.  Lieut.  Jas.  B.  Lowrie  was  killed  at  Gettysburg 
July  3,  1863.  Capt.  Patrick  J.  Lowrie  died  at  Wilmington, 
N.  C,  1862,  of  yellow  fever.  Samuel  Lowrie,  the  only 
one  of  the  four  who  lived  through  the  war,  resided  in  Flor- 
ida and  died  in  1892.  Miss  Annie  Wall  Lowrie  married 
Dr.  J.  B.  Alexander  and  lived  near  the  old  homestead  for 
more  than  thirty  years.  She  was  very  popular  with  her 
neighbors,  and  was  much  missed  by  her  friends  when  she 
and  her  husband  moved  to  Charlotte  in  1890,  to  be  with 
their  daughter.  Annie  L.  Alexander,  who  was  a  graduate  in 
medicine,  and  located  here  to  practice  her  profession.  And 
I  would  mention  the  fact  that  s'he  was  the  first  Southern 
woman  to  take  a  degree,  or  practice  medicine  in  the  South- 
ern States.  She  graduated  at  the  Woman's  Medical  Coilege 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  Philadelphia,  in  1884.  Since  the  ice 
has  been  broken,  and  women  have  been  admitted  to  practice 
medicine  on  an  equality  with  men,  they  have  now  first-class 
colleges  in  a  great  many  Northern  cities  and  admit  them  to 
ail  medical  colleges  in  the  South  on  an  equality  with  men. 

His  two  daug'hters^ — Rachel  married  Sidney  Houston, 
who  lived  in  Iredell  county,  and'  had  two  sons,  James  and 
George  Houston,  who  were  first-class  men,  and  raised  fami- 
lies who  were  useful  citizens.  Mr.  James  Houston  married 
a  daughter  of  Wm.  Patterson,  a  prominent  citizen,  south  of 
Beattie's  Ford.  Mr.  Patterson  was  an  active  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  a  man  of  influence,  and  was  held  in  repute  in  this 
end  of  the  county.  His  daughter  Margaret  was  well  known 
and  appreciated  by  a  large  circle  of  friends.  She  has  spent 
a  long  life  in  doing  good  to  others. 

One  daughter  of  Mr.  Patterson.  Lenora.  iniarried  Joseph 
M.  Wilson,  Esq.,  who  is  also  a  prominent  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  farmer,  and  has  taken  an  active  part  in  schools 


134  HISTORY    OF 

and  church ;  and  has  raised  a  worthy  family  of  children.  His 
wife  is  still  living,  in  feeble  health,  but  can  look  back  on  a 
well-spent  life. 

LOUIS   JETTON. 

Mr.  Louis  JettO'n,  a  descendant  of  the  French  Huguenots, 
came  into  this  county  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Eighteenth 
century.  His  son,  Alexander  Brevard  Jetton,  lived  to  be 
an  old  man,  who  exemplified  in  his  life  the  religion  'he  pro- 
fessed, was  held  in  much  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him.  His 
name  is  transmitted  by  one  son,  J.  L.  Jetton,  an  educated 
gentleman,  and  has  educated  his  six  children  that  they  may 
prove  to  be  worthy  of  such  ancestors.  Mr,  Jetton  and  his 
wife  are  still  living,  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  a  well-spent 
life.  He  was  twice  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  when  the 
honor  was  forced  upon  him.  He  now  resides  near  David- 
son. 

HUGH    TORRANCE. 

Hugh  Torrance  came  to  Mecklenburg  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  Eighteenth  century,  and  settled  in  the  Hopewell 
neighborhood.  He  was  an  extensive  farmer,  and  married 
the  widow  of  Col.  Falls,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Ram- 
seur's  Mill,  in  Lincoln  county,  in  1781.  He  built  a  very  ele- 
gant brick  mansion  that  will  compare  favorably  with  the 
most  aristocratic  residences  in  the  city  or  county.  Mr.  Tor- 
rance was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  had  the  "push"  that  was 
characteristic  of  the  early  emigrants  o-f  the  Scotch-Irish 
people.  They  were  a  money-making  and  church-loving  peo^ 
pie ;  consequently  they  were  not  willing  to  stop'  short  of  in- 
dependence, and  Mecklenburg  will  ever  be  proud  of  the  fact 
that  her  early  settlers  were  of  the  stamip  that  loved  liberty 
and  freedom.  One  son,  James  Torrance,  was  the  only 
fruit  of  this  marriage.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Torrance  died 
in  February,   1816.     Their  elegant  home  was  left  to  Mr. 


MISS  MARGARET  A.  LOWRIE. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I35 

James  Torrance,  who  added  largely  to;  his  estate — both  in 
land  and  negroes.  He  was  married  three  times,  had  a  large 
family  who  have  scattered  off,  till  now  but  twO',  the  young- 
est sons,  live  in  the  county.  The  old  county  seats  that  have 
been  in  the  family  from  the  time  the  lands  were  first  entered, 
are  now  fast  passing  into  the  hands  o>f  strangers,  and  will 
soon  be  unknown  to  the  children  of  the  original  oiwners. 
Richard  and  John,  two'  of  the  youngest  of  the  thirds  genera- 
tion, are  now  among  the  oldest  men  of  the  county,  and  will 
soon  have  passed  fromi  the  land  holders  of  the  county.  As 
there  is  now  a  craze  for  all  the  educated  classes,  and  the 
property  holders  to  move  to  towns,  where  they  can  have  the 
advantages  oi  schools  and  society.  Mr.  Ric'hard  Torrance 
and  family  now  live  in  Charlotte,  but  cultivates  his  farm 
with  tenant  labor.  For  more  than  one  hundred  years  our 
lands  have  been  cultivated  by  slave  labor,  but  for  nearly 
forty  years  freed  labor,  or  free  labor,  has  been  depended  on, 
which  has  been  so  unreliable  that  the  best  element  on  the 
farms,  with  the  employers,  have  moved  to  the  towns. 

MARGxXRET  ALEXANDER  LOWRIE. 

Without  an  effort  on  her  part  there  were  but  few  women 
in  the  county  who  exercised  a  more  healthy  or  helpful  influ- 
ence. When  a  young  lady,  rich  and  beautiful,  came  of  a 
family  of  great  culture  and  influence,  she  was  looked  up  to 
and  courted  by  the  many  for  her  smiles  of  approbation. 
Her  company  was  always  sought  for.  She  never  consid- 
ered any  one  an  inferior  who  supported  a  good  name  and 
was  careful  to  preserve  it.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Judge 
Samuel  Lowrie,  who  was  a  native  of  Delaware,  and  was  a 
son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Lowrie.  When  a  child  his  par- 
ents moved  to  Rowan  county,  and  he  was  educated  by  Rev. 
James  Hall  in  Tredell  county. 

In  1804,  1805  and  1816,  he  was  elected  a  representative 
in   the  Legislature  of   North   Carolina.     In   1806  he  was 


136  HISTORY    OF 

elected  judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  position  he  held 
until  he  died,  which  was  in  1818. 

He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Robert  Alexander. 
The  fruit  of  this  marriage  was  Robert,  Samuel,  Polly  (mar- 
ried Dr.  Dunlap),  Lilly  (married  Brawley  Oates),  Eliza 
and  Margaret.  In  181 1  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Marmaduke  Norfleet,  of  Bertie  county,  N.  C.  From:  this 
marriage  there  was  but  one  daughter,  Rebecca,  who  mar- 
ried Rev.  John  Robinson,  an  Episcopal  minister,  who  located 
in  Huntsville,  Ala.  But  few  of  the  family  are  now  left  to 
speak  of  their  history.  Miss  Margaret  Lowrie  was  a  great 
favorite  with  young  people,  and  always  had  a  crowd  to 
visit  her.  Her  sister  Eliza,  who  was  never  strong,  lived 
with  her.  She  was  a  great  reader  just  for  her  own  pleasure, 
and  let  Miss  Margaret  do  the  housekeeping  and  the  enter- 
taining of  visitors.  In  her  old  age  she  never  forgot  that 
she  was  once  young,  and  had  much  charity  for  the  young, 
and  sometimes  in  a  sly  way  would  tell  how  the  boys  would 
come  "a-courting."  It  always  appeared  to  furnish  her 
pleasure  to  tell  about  Speight  McLean  and  Joe  Alexander 
coming  on  Cupid's  errand.  She  received  offers  of  mar- 
riage when  she  was  quite  old,  but  she  would  laugh  and  say : 
"It  is  time  now  to  turn  these  little  episodes  over  to  our 
juniors."  In  these  prosaic  times  it  would  be  well  to  have 
some  of  the  "old  issue"  to  come  along  again. 

SAMUEL  J.  LOWRIE,  ESQ. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  lawyers  that  Mecklen- 
burg county  ever  produced.  .  He  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Robert 
Lowrie,  and  he  a  son  of  Judge  Samuel  Lowrie,  of  Mecklen- 
burg county.  He  was  born  to  an  inheritance  of  legal  talent. 
The  women  possessed  literary  talent  of  a  high  order,  con- 
nected with  grace  and  beauty  of  person.  Mr.  S.  J.  Lowrie' s 
father  died  quite  young,  had  but  two  children,  Samuel  and 
Robert.  Their  mother  married  a  second  time,  and  Samuel 
J.  Lowrie  came  to  Charlotte  to  live  with  his  aunts,  maiden 


SAMUEL  J.  LOWRIE,  ESQ. 


CAPT.  JOHN  WALKER. 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I37 

ladies,  who  lived  with  their  brother-in-law,  Dr.  David  R. 
Dunlap,  and  frequently  with  Brawley  Oates,  another  broth- 
er-in-law, who  lived  in  a  large  lot  on  the  eastern  comer  of 
Seventh  and  Brevard  streets.  And,  by  the  way,  it  is  said 
Miss  Lilly  Lowrie,  afterwards  Mrs.  Oates,  was  the  prettiest 
woman  in  Mecklenburg.  Mr.  Oates  was  engaged  in  the  of- 
fice of  the  County  Court  Clerk,  and  took  his  nephew  as  a  sul>- 
stitute  in  the  office  with  him,  and  for  several  years  he  worked 
there  and  read  law.  He  was  not  only  thoroughly  drilled  in 
the  science  of  the  law,  but  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
practical  workings  of  the  law.  After  obtaining  his  license 
to  practice  law,  he  was  taken  in  partnership  by  Hon.  J.  W. 
Osboirne,  who  was  a  prince  among  lawyers.  After  a  few 
years  he  took  an  office  by  himself,  and  did  not  devote  him- 
self as  assiduously  to  his  practice  as  his  friends  desired.  He 
was  the  peoples'  favorite,  and  his  services  always  in  de- 
mand. The  war  came  on  and  he  plead  his  avoirdupois  was 
against  his  marching.  He  was  too  heavy  for  cavalry  ser- 
vice, hence  he  chose  the  navy.  He  was  sitationed  in  Charles- 
ton harbor,  where  the  duties  were  light  and  no  marching 
to  do.  His  legal  talents  accompanied  him  to  the  navy;  here 
be  was  employed  to  defend  a  poor  seaman  who  had  stricken 
an  officer.  The  penalty  was  death,  but  he  gained  an  acquit- 
tal for  his  client.  Once  he  wanted  a  furlough,  and  he  wrote 
the  clerk  to  know  how  many  cases  he  was  to  appear  for  in 
the  Superior  Court.  The  clerk  replied  150  cases;  either 
for  or  against  most  every  case  on  the  docket.  He  got  his 
furlough.  His  opportunities  were  very  great.  He  outlived 
his  aunts  and  all  of  his  near  kin,  yet  he  was  scarce  forty 
when  death  claimed  a  most  brilliant  lawyer,  in  1870. 

CAPT.    JOHN    WALKER. 

In  any  State  of  the  Union,  Capt.  Walker  would  have 
taken  a  prominent  position.  Nature  had  chosen  him  for  a 
leader  of  men.  He  was  not  a  polished  man,  with  a  surface 
education,  but  he  had  a  strong  mind,  well  balanced,  fearless 


138  HISTORY    OF 

in  contending-  for  what  he  beheved  was  right.  He  was  one 
of  the  most  influential  citizens  of  Mecklenburg-  county.  He 
entered  public  life  in  1840,  as  a  member  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  North  Carolina.  He  there  drew  the  attention  of 
the  county,  by  his  close  attention  to  business,  particularly  to 
the  welfare  of  Mecklenburg.  He  was  sent  to  the  Senate  in 
i842-'44-'46-'48.  Again  Senator  in  1854,  and  the  last  time 
in  i860.  Six  times  a  Senator  from  this  county  betokens 
great  popularity.  He  was  given  the  pet  name  of  "The 
Great  Wheel  Horse  of  Democracy."  He  was  an  active  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace;  was  for  a  long  time  chairman  of  the 
County  Court,  and  was  able  to  dispense  justice  without  so 
much  red  tape.  He  was  a  good  man  to  have  in  a  neighbor- 
hood. He  appealed  to  reason,  and  prevented  many  a  trivial 
law  suit  by  a  timely  word  of  advice,  that  otherwise  would 
have  engendered  a  bitterness  that  would  have  lasted  more 
than  a  generation.  He  understood  the  common  law,  and  had 
no  hesitation  to  enforce  it,  and  believed  that  all — both  rich 
and  poor — should  be  treated  alike.  He  believed  in  being  fair 
in  debate,  and  he  would  force  his  opponent  to  be  fair,  or  else 
he  would  drive  him  to  the  wall.  He  was  strictly  in  his  ele- 
ment when  he  had  a  "foeman  worthy  of  his  steel." 

After  the  war,  in  the  days  of  reconstruction,  he  was  shorn 
of  his  strength.  Much  of  his  property  was  gone;  he  was 
placed  under  the  ban;  he  was  not  allowed  to  vote;  if  he  was 
worth  $20,000,  unless  he  could  get  a  pardon  (  ?)  his  prop- 
erty would  be  confiscated.  His  proud  spirit  could  not  brook 
such  treatment.  He  lived  but  a  short  time.  Reconstruc- 
tion laws  bore  heavily  upon  him. 

It  took  a  man  of  iron  nerves  to  undergo  the  so-called  re- 
construction days.  He  was  elected  an  elder  in  Sardis 
church  when  but  20  years  old.  But  for  the  sake  of  peace 
and  harmony,  he,  with  his  son.  Rev.  James  Walker,  and 
several  other  prominent  members,  removed  their  member- 
ship to  Sharon,  where  he  continued  to  exercise  the  office  of 
ruling  elder  until  his  death. 

Capt.  Walker  was  married  three  times.     First  he  married 


JAS.  H.   DAVIS. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  1 39 

Miss  Susan  McCullough,  She  bore  him  two  children,  Rev. 
James  Walker,  and  one  other  son  who  died  in  childhood. 
His  second  wife  was  a  widow — Jane  Harris — who  bore  him 
no  children,  although  she  had  two^  by  a  former  husband. 
His  third  wife  was  Miss  Sophonia  White.  She  did  not  bear 
any  children. 

Capt.  Walker  was  a  representative  man  of  the  old  school, 
when  the  peoples'  verdict  was  the  law  of  the  land,  from" 
which  no  one  deemed  it  a  hardship  or  ever  thought  of  an 
appeal.  He  lived  in  a  time  when  a  case  of  extreme  poverty 
was  unknown  in  the  county,  unless  it  was  from'  sickness  or 
self-imposed.  During  his  day  the  production  of  cotton  was 
comparatively,  in  its  infancy;  raising  negroes,  hogs,  cattle 
and  horses  and  mules ;  they  did  not  care  so  much  for  money, 
as  to  have  that  which  could  be  turned  into  money.  Our 
whole  system  of  farming  and  civilization  was  changed  by 
the  reconstruction.  Capt.  John  Walker  was  born  February 
22,  1801,  east  of  Charlotte,  about  eight  miles.  Here  he 
kept  his  home  all  his  life  when  not  engaged  in  the  business 
of  the  State.  He  died  September  8,  1876.  His  life  was  a 
useful  one.  When  not  engaged  for  the  State,  he  was  look- 
ing after  the  interests  of  his  family,  the  church,  and  the 
county.  The  county  could  well  say  he  was  jealous  of  the 
best  interests  of  Mecklenburg,  and  of  the  church. 

JAMES   DAVIS. 

Mr.  James  Davis  was  the  son  of  Watson  Davis,  of  Provi- 
dence congregation,  where  he  lived  and  died  early  in  the 
Nineteenth  century.  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  had 
one  brother  who  also  lived  in  Providence,  named  Samuel 
Davis.  He  had  a  daughter  who  married  her  cousin,  Mar- 
cellus  Davis,  who  lives  in  the  town  of  Charlotte. 

Mr.  James  Davis  lived  some  six  miles  southwest  of  Provi- 
dence church.  He  married  a  Miss  Lee,  an  aunt  of  D.  P. 
Lee,  amongst  the  best  people  in  the  county.  Mr.  Davis  was 
a  farmer  of  splendid  attainments.     He  studied  the  needs 


140  HISTORY    OF 

of  his  soil  and  put  in  practice  his  conclusions.  Persons  who 
knew  him  well,  said  he  was  a  bold  buyer,  or  seller,  as  the 
case  might  be.  He  would  buy  a  plantation  ready  stocked 
with  horses,  mules,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  and  farming 
tools,  and  negroes  enough  to  cultivate  it.  A  big  trade  of 
this  kind  would  not  cause  him  to  lose  an  hour's  sleep.  He 
was  always  cool,  and  if  he  could  see  a  fair  promise  to  realize 
a  handsome  profit,  he  was  quick  to  strike  a  trade.  He 
always  rode  a  magnificent  horse,  and  was  a  fine  rider.  He 
owned  several  large  plantations,  and  they  were  well  stocked 
with  the  best  the  country  afforded.  Of  course  we  are  speak- 
ing of  things  as  they  appeared  then.  The  civilization  of 
ante-bellum  days  was  very  dififerent  from  what  it  was  at  a 
later  day.  In  the  former  period  a  man  of  means  had  no 
hesitation  about  making  debts ;  for  the  number  of  slaves  he 
had  were  regarded  the  best  of  collaterals,  and  he  could 
always  get  as  much  time  as  he  wanted.  He  had  all  his 
stock,  of  every  kind,  well  protected  against  the  cold  of  win- 
ter ;  abundantly  fed,  so  that  they  were  always  ready  for  ser- 
vice. His  negroes  were  well  cared  for,  in  sickness  and 
health.  It  was  his  opinion  that  all  stock  was  profitable  in 
proportion  to  the  care  that  Avas  bestowed  upon  it.  This 
was  before  cotton  became  king  of  products  and  king  of  com- 
merce. In  1852  a  wealthy  man  in  south  Iredell  county  said 
the  most  profitable  stock  to  raise  in  this  country  was 
"negroes  and  hogs." 

Mr.  Davis  was  a  staunch  supporter  of  the  war.  He  be- 
lieved in  raising  all  the  supplies  the  army  should  need,  both 
what  was  necessary  to  feed  the  soldiers  in  the  field,  and  sup- 
ply their  families  at  home.  He  first  gave  his  son,  a  boy  of 
seventeen,  to  the  Confederacy,  all  the  horses  and  mules  he 
could  spare  from  his  farm,  paid  more  than  the  tenth  of  all 
his  meat  and  bread  and  feed  for  horses.  During  the  last 
two  years  of  the  war  his  granaries  were  so  much  frequented 
by  the  soldiers'  wives,  especially  from  Union  county,  that 
they  called  it  "going  down  to  Egypt."  They  would  fre- 
quently  come    in    large    companies,    a    soldier's    wife    or 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I4I 

daughter  driving  a  one-horse  wagon,  sornetimies  an  O'X,  or  a 
mule;  and  none  turned  away  without  a  load.  Whatever 
would  satisfy  hunger  and  render  the  people  comfortable, 
was  poured  out  without  stint.  If  the  wealthy  people  of  our 
Southland  had  been  as  patriotic  as  Mr.  Davis,  there  would 
have  been  fewer  desertions  from  the  Confederate  army. 

Mr.  Davis  owned  about  three  hundred  negroes,  and  of 
course  had  no  hesitation  about  contracting  a  debt  with  all 
these  collaterals  behind  him ;  but  when  the  war  ended  disas- 
trously to  the  South,  and  swept  away  the  very  foundations 
on  which  the  finances  of  the  State,  or  the  Confederacy  was 
built,  it  cast  a  gloom  over  the  people  that  they  could  not 
shake  off  at  pleasure.  The  younger  people  could  start  in 
anew,  but  those  who  were  in  the  evening  of  life  were  not  able 
to  stem  the  adverse  current  as  it  rushed  madly  on  to  over- 
throw all  of  our  civilization. 

It  was  morally  impossible  for  a  man,  a  large  planter, 
owning,  a  vast  number  of  slaves,  to  regain  his  hold  on  the 
financial  touchstone,  when  all  had  been  swept  away,  an 
army  of  adventurers  were  hanging  on  his  every  turn,  hoping 
to  pick  his  financial  carcass,  as  he  recuperated  his  shattered 
fortune. 

Young  men  endowed  with  a  superabundance  of  energy- 
can  sometimes  rebuild  a  lost  fortune  under  adverse  circum- 
stances ;  but  when  the  evening  shadows  grow  long,  and  hopt- 
is  crushed,  and  only  defeat  stares  him  in  the  face ;  all  incen- 
tive to  action  has  subsided,  energy  is  gone,  and  he  gradually 
sinks  into  a  premature  grave.  In  this  way  have  many  en- 
tered the  future  state  who  otherwise  might  have  reached 
a  green  old  age.  Old  age  that  comes  with  stealthy  steps, 
hardly  pausing  as  each  year  goes  round,  comes  naturally, 
has  many  sweets  to  make  bright  and  gladsome  the  counte- 
nances when  all  goes  well ;  but  we  can  only  see  poverty  and 
wretchedness,  when  the  bitter  cup  is  pressed  to  our  lips,  and 
we  are  made  to  drink  to  its  dregs,  and  there  is  nothing  left 
us  but  the  quietude  of  the  grave. 

Many  cases  of  this  kind  will  have  to  be  answered  for  at 


142  HISTORY    OF 

the  shrine  of  truth  and  justice.  Our  Southern  people  faced 
the  defeat  with  wonderful  courage.  Many  of  our  old  men 
were  so  paralyzed,  not  by  defeat  so  much,  as  by  the  petty 
tyrants  who  thought  to  lord  it  over  their  superiors  in  virtue 
and  all  that  constitutes  true  manhood. 

Mr.  James  Davis  was  surrounded  by  the  best  people  in 
the  State — Mr.  W.  M.  Matthews,  Wm.  McKee,  Wm.  Ar- 
drey,  M.  D.,  Capt.  W.  E.  Ardrey,  John  Rhea,  Robert  Grier, 
Elam  Sample,  Neil  Morrison.  The  names  of  such  men  to 
constitute  the  neighbors  of  James  Davis,  is  prima  facie  evi- 
dence that  he  was  more  than  an  ordinary  man ;  and  his  deeds 
of  charity  in  cases  deserving  it,  will  live  long  after  his  face 
is  forgotten. 

W.   J.   YATES EDITOR  AND  PRINTER. 

Mr.  Yates  was  born  in  Fayetteville,  N.  C,  in  1827.  Work 
was  as  natural  for  him  as  laziness  is  for  some  people.  He 
loved  to  work  to  accomplish  certain  aims.  He  most  cor- 
dially despised  idlers,  and  laid  to  the  charge  of  idleness  pov- 
erty and  all  its  train  of  evils.  He  entered  the  printing  of- 
fice of  the  North  Carolinian  at  an  early  age,  and  by  industry 
and  frugality,  was  enabled  to  buy  the  paper,  which  he  again 
sold  and  in  1856  moved  to  Charlotte  and  bought  the  Char- 
lotte Democrat.  This  was  his  idol — the  apple  of  his  eye. 
He  could  suffer  the  loss  of  anything  else  rather  than  have 
his  paper  evil  spoken  of.  In  1881,  October  ist,  the  Sotith- 
ern  Home  was  consolidated  with  the  Democrat  and  pub-- 
lished  as  the  Home-Democrat,  Mr.  Yates  retiring  from  ac- 
tive management  of  the  same.  In  the  interval  he  was  res- 
tive and  his  oft  repeated  assertion,  "I  cannot  stay  out  of  this 
office,"  led  him  in  February,  1884,  to  again  assume  his 
wonted  po'ssession — a  good  editor,  he  loved  his  profession. 
He  made  a  financial  success  of  his  paper  and  by  economy 
and  judicious  business  management,  accumulated  a  hand- 
some competency.  He  earned  his  money  in  Charlotte,  and 
invested  it  here,  having  no  use  for  any  enterprise  outside  of 


1' 

I 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I43 

the  State.     A  loyal  North  Carolinian,  familiar  with  her  his- 
tory and  conversant  with  the  record  of  her  people. 

He  was  president  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Insane 
Asylum  at  IMorg-anton,  and  a  Trustee  of  the  University  at 
Chapel  Hill.  Pronounced  in  his  opinion,  he  held  his  con- 
victions with  a  strong  and  unyielding  grasp,  his  superior 
judgment  wielded  an  influence  in  the  councils  of  which  he 
was  a  member.  His  individual  characteristics  were  mani- 
fest through  the  columns  o-f  his  paper.  Liberal,  he  gave 
unostentatio'usly ;  his  private  charities  amounted  to  a  large 
sum ;  the  veriest  tramp  never  appealed  in  vain,  the  gift  often 
accompanied  with  expressions  of  his  contempt  for  idleness. 
The  poor  will  miss  his  generous  hand.  Simple  in  taste, 
plain  in  habits,  he  was  intolerant  of  display  and  pretence ;  a 
good  citizen,  one  whom  the  community  will  miss.  The 
press  of  North  Carolina  has  lost  its  oldest  and  most  valued 
editor.  Peace  to  his  ashes.  He  was  well  suited  for  the 
times  in  which  he  lived.     He  died  October  28,  1888. 

SHERIEE  MARSHALL  ALEXANDER. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  popular  men  of  Mecklenburg 
county.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school — never 
forgot  the  training  he  received  in  ante-bellum  days ;  always 
cheerful,  and  ever  ready  to  help  an  old  Confederate. 

In  speaking  of  Mr.  Alexander,  we  must  say  that  there 
were  in  his  life  and  career  far  more  noble  qualities  than  one 
would  suppose  who  was  not  intimately  acquainted  with  him. 
He  was  a  man  of  fine  intelligence,  possessing  a  warm  heart. 
At  times  he  appeared  rough  and  harsh,  but  it  was  because 
you  did  not  know  him.  There  was  a  vein  of  quaint  humor 
running  through  his  character  that  made  him  friends  wher- 
ever he  moved.  He  was  a  gallant  soldier  in  the  late  war, 
and  occupied  the  position  of  Lieutenant  in  Company  B, 
Fifty-third  Regiment,  North  Carolina  Troops,  Gen.  Daniel's 
Brigade,  Rodc's  Division.     He  was  captured  at  Gettysburg 


144  HISTORY    OF 

and  sent  to  Johnston's  Island,  and  not  exchanged,  but  re- 
mained there  till  the  war  was  over. 

In  1872  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Mecklenburg  county, 
which  office  he  filled  with  entire  satisfaction  for  12  years. 
He  made  a  faithful  officer,  always  among  the  first  to  settle 
with  the  State;  yet  he  was  indulgent  and  the  tax  payers  of 
this  county  speak  of  his  administration  of  the  office  in  the 
highest  terms.  It  was  a  common  saying  on  the  streets  that 
he  was  "the  best  sheriff  the  county  ever  had."  (But  the 
county  has  never  had  an  inferior  officer  of  any  kind  since  the 
days  of  reconstruction.)  He  was  cut  down  in  the  prime  of 
life,  when  his  usefulness  was  at  full  tide,  his  wife  having 
preceded  him  some  time.  He  was  about  50  years  old. 
Every  one  said  "Marshall  Alexander  was  an  honest  man." 
He  was  just  and  straightforward  in  all  his  dealings;  he  was 
always  ready  "to  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  belonged 
to  Caesar."  He  was  a  conscientious  man  and  was  as  true  to 
his  convictions  as  the  needle  is  tO'  the  pole.  He  was  open 
and  candid.  Had  no .  petty  spites  or  harbored  a  mean  re- 
venge. He  died  peacefully  and  calmly.  His  life  ebbed  out 
like  the  fading  light  of  day.  The  whole  county  feels  the  loss 
of  a  friend.  But  everything  terrestrial  must  fade  and  disap- 
pear.    He  died  in  1886. 

DR.   J.    M.    STRONG. 

John  Mason  Strong  was  born  in  Newberry  county,  S.  C, 
September  i,  1818.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Rev.  Charles 
Strong,  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  Nancy  Harris  Strong. 

Charles  Strong  died  July  20,  1824.  His  wife  survived 
him  until  November  8,  1842.  They  had  five  children — but 
one  son — the  subject  of  this  sketch.  John  Mason  entered 
Jefferson  College,  Cannonsburg,  Pa.,  in  1839;  graduated 
in  1 841  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Matthew  Brown.  He 
read  medicine  under  Dr.  John  Harris,  of  Steele  Creek,  and 
attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  but  gradu- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I45 

ated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in 
1847.  His  first  and  only  home  was  in  Steele  Creek, 
where  he  was  reared  and  where  he  practiced  medicine 
for  over  fifty  years.  He  was  a  ruling  elder  in  Steele  Creek 
A.  R.  P.  Church  and  throughout  his  long  and  singularly 
useful  life  was  one  of  the  staunchest  of  churchmen.  He 
was  a  "pillar  of  the  church,"  being  prominent  always  in  its 
councils  and  affairs.  He  served  as  a  surgeon  in  the  late 
war,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  ablest  men,  profession- 
ally, in  the  service.  He  was  called  in  as  an  expert  to  settle 
the  difference  among  the  local  doctors  in  the  smallpox  epi- 
demic of  1850  in  Charlotte. 

Dr.  Strong  was  twice  married.  Plis  first  wife  was  Rachel 
Elenor  Harris,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Moore  Harris.  They 
were  married  April  7,  1851.  She  died  May  o.'j,  1880,  leav- 
ing five  children.  In  vSeptember,  1883,  Dr.  Strong  married 
Miss  Nancy  Grier,  of  Steele  Creek,  who  survives  him.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  county.  His 
integrity  was  above  question,  his  piety  an  example  to  all, 
and  his  ability  of  the  class  that  made  him  easily  one  of  the 
best  physicians  of  the  county.  He  kept  up  with  the  prog- 
ress of  the  science,  held  to  that  which  would  counteract 
disease  and  benefit  his  patient.  He  was  an  all-round  man, 
and  was  prepared  for  any  emergency.  He  reached  a  ripe 
age,  and  was  an  honor  to  his  profession  and  to  the  county 
of  his  adoption.     He  died  March  22,  1897. 

JUDGE    SHIPP BORN    NOVEMBER    IQ,     1819,    DIED    189O. 

"Judge  Sliipp  was  a  man  of  wonderful  popularity,  both 
as  a  judge  and  as  a  citizen.  In  the  former  capacity  he  was 
conceded  to  be  one  of  the  finest  judges  of  law  known  to  the 
State.  He  was,  on  all  occasions,  a  modest  man.  Often- 
times subject  to  unjust  criticism,  he  always  presented  the 
even  tenor  of  his  way  and  in  the  end  he  was  always  vindi- 
cated.    It  was  seldom  indeed  that  one  of  his  decisions  was 


146  HISTORY    OF 

reversed.  As  a  judge  he  ranked  amongst  the  foremost  ol' 
the  State. 

As  a  citizen,  Charlotte  was  proud  of  him.  A  genial  man, 
upright  in  all  the  walks  of  his  life,  both  private  and  public, 
his  death  is  a  loss  to  the  State  and  will  be  mourned  not  only 
by  Charlotte,  but  by  every  town  and  hamlet  in  the  State. 
He  was  graduated  at  the  University  in  1840,  delivering  the 
salutatory  address;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1842;  prac- 
ticed in  Lincoln  and  the  mountain  district.  At  the  beginning 
of  the  Civil  War  he  was  elected  captain  of  a  volunteer  com- 
pany in  Hendersonville,  and  served  in  that  capacity  in  Vir- 
ginia until  he  was  elected  Judge.  In  1870  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Democratic  party  for  Attorney-General  on  the  ticket 
with  Ho'U.  A.  S.  Merrimon,  candidate  for  Governor,  etc., 
and  Avas  the  only  Democrat  elected.  He  practiced  law  in 
Charlotte  from  1872  to  1881,  when  he  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Jarvis  judge  of  the  Superior  Court  to  succeed 
Hon.  David  Schenck.  He  was  re-elected  for  eight  years  in 
1882.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  before  the  war. 

He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Catherine  Cameron;  sec- 
ond, to  Margaret  Iredell,  daughter  of  James  Iredell,  at  one 
time  Governor  of  North  Carolina  and  United  States  Sena- 
tor. 

"Judge  Shipp  was  one  of  the  best  informed  lawyers  in  the 
•State.  He  had  a  marked  legal  mind,  he  reasoned  closely, 
and  as  a  jurist  was  eminent.  He  had  no  superior  on  the 
bench.  He  was  fond  of  history  and  literature  of  our  lan- 
guage, especially  the  standard  works.  He  was  interesting 
and  alive  in  conversation,  and  had  much  wit  and  humor." 

The  Charlotte  bar  met  and  attended  his  funeral  in  a  body, 
and  passed  appropriate  resolutions  on  the  great  loss  they 
had  sustained  in  the  death  of  Judge  Shipp.  But  his  useful- 
ness was  not  confined  to  Mecklenburg  county,  but  extended 
to  all  parts  of  the  State.     He  died  in  1890. 


MECKIvEN^URG   COUNTY.  I47 

COL.   WILUAM  JOHNSTON. 

One  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  Mecklenburg  county,  who 
was  born  in  Lincoln  county  March  5,  181 7,  and  belonged  to 
one  of  the  best  families  in  that  county.  He  was  educated  at 
the  University  of  the  State.  He  studied  law  under  Judge 
R.  M.  Pearson,  was  licensed  in  1842,  and  located  in  Char- 
lotte, where  he  continued  to  reside  to  the  end  of  his  life.  His, 
residence  was  somewhat  of  the  olden  style,  verv-  large  and 
roomy  and  elegant. 

He  was  an  ardent  Whig  during  the  decade  preceding  the 
war  between  the  States,  and  with  great  ardor  espoused  the 
cause  of  the  South.  In  1856  he  assumed  the  presidency  of 
the  Charlotte  &  South  Carolina  Railroad  Co.,  and  by  his 
ability  as  a  financier  and  manager,  put  the  road  in  a  prosper- 
ous condition.  This  road  proved  of  great  benefit  to  the 
Confederate  government  during  the  war  until  destroyed  by 
Sherman  in  1865. 

In  1859  Col.  Johnston  inaugurated  the  Atlantic,  Tennes- 
see &  Ohio  Railroad,  and  completed  forty-six  miles  of  con- 
struction, when  the  war  came  on  and  put  a  stop  to  the  work. 
Col.  Johnston  was  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Southern 
Cause.  He  was  twice  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  conventions 
called  for  the  purpose  of  considering  Federal  relations,  and 
at  both  he  strongly  advocated  North  Carolina  withdrawing 
from  the  Union. 

In  March,  1862,  he  was  a  candidate  for  Governor,  but  he 
had  as  an  opponent  Zebulon  B.  Vance,  then  a  colonel  in  the 
Confederate  army,  by  whom  he  was  defeated.  He,  how- 
ever, rendered  the  Confederacy  throughout  the  war  great 
service  in  the  transportation  of  men,  ammunition  and  sup- 
plies. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  succeeded  in  getting  the 
Charlotte,  Columbia  &  Augusta  road  completed  from 
Columbia  to  Augusta,  and  to-day  it  stands  as  a  monument 
to  his  sagacity  and  business  ability.  The  story  of  Presi- 
dent Davis'  arrival  in  Charlotte,  and  the  startling  news  it 
was  destined  he  should  hear  in  this  city,  is  known  by  the 


148  HISTORY    OF 

older  citizens;  but  as  a  matter  of  history  for  the  younger 
generation,  as  well  as  being  one  of  the  most  interesting 
events  in  Col.  Johnston's  life,  is  told  here.  Just  after  peace 
had  been  declared.  President  Davis  arrived  in  Charlotte 
April  18,  1865,  and  was  met  by  Col.  Johnston.  He  was 
taken  to  the  home  of  a  man  by  the  name  of  Bates,  who'se 
guest  he  was,  and  who  lived  on  the  corner  where  the  ex- 
press office  now  stands.  A  crowd  had  gathered  on  the  cor- 
ner to  greet  Mr.  Davis,  who  stood  on  the  steps  of  the  house 
making  an  address.  A  telegram  was  passed  to  him.  He 
read  it,  and  his  face  assumed  a  serious  expression,  and 
passing  the  telegram  to  Col.  Johnston,  who  stood  by  him, 
he  retired  into  the  house.  In  the  crowd  was  Bates.  He 
reported  to  the  United  States  Government  that  President 
Davis  had  spoken  exultingly  when  he  read  the  telegram 
which  announced  Lincoln's  assassination.  Subsequently, 
Col.  Johnston  volunteered,  when  President  Davis  was  under 
arraignment  by  the  government,  to  go  to  New  York  and 
furnish  the  facts  to  Davis'  counsel. 

Col.  Johnston  was  married  in  1846  to  Miss  Anna  Eliza 
Graham,  daughter  of  Dr.  George  F.  Graham,  brother  of 
Wm.  A.  Graham,  and  to  them  were  born  Julia  M.,  wife  of 
Col.  A.  B.  Andrews,  of  Raleigh;  Frank  G.,  Cora  J.,  wife  of 
Capt.  T,  R.  Robinson;  W.  R.  Johnston.  Mrs.  Johnston 
died  in  1881.  The  children  all  survive  except  Mrs.  Robin- 
son. 

Col.  Johnston  was  one  of  Charlotte's  wealthiest  citizens. 
He  owned  valuable  property  here  and  in  Memphis. 

Col.  Johnston  was  elected  Mayor  of  Charlotte  and  served 
as  follows:  from  May,  1875,  to  May,  1887 — missing  two 
years.  He  served  four  terms,  giving  great  satisfaction. 
The  town  prospered  under  his  administration  very  greatly. 
He  was  a  wise  financier,  and  used  the  peoples'  money  most 
judiciously,  solely  for  the  benefit  of  the  town.  He  died  in 
1896. 


DR.  ISAAC  WILSON. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I49 

DR.   ISAAC  WIESON. 

(A  practitioner  of  Medicine  from  1825  to  18 y 5.) 

The  subject  of  this  chapter  was  a  son  of  Sherifif  Wilson^ 
and  a  nephew  of  that  eminent  minister,  Rev.  John  McKamie 
Wilson,  D.  D.,  who  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  greatest 
preachers  of  his  day.  Rocky  River  was  his  church  and 
home  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  so  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  people  of  Mecklenburg  that  no  apology  is 
needed  for  mentioning  his  name  or  his  greatness.  Dr. 
Isaac  Wilson  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  D.  T.  Caldwell. 
He  did  not  have  the  advantages  of  attending  a  medical  col- 
lege, or  one  of  the  recent  kinds  of  hospitals,  but  he  gained 
his  knowledge  from  medical  works  and  bedside  experience. 
His  practice  covered  a  large  expanse  of  territory.  One  day 
he  would  start  out  on  the  west  side,  on  the  next  he  would  go 
on  the  east  side — so  that  he  was  able  to  see  all  of  his  patients 
once  in  two  days.  He  carried  a  very  capacious  pair  of  sad- 
dlebags, which  were  replenished  every  morning  with  such 
things  as  were  expected  to  be  needed.  One  thing  in  par- 
ticular was  never  left  out,  viz. :  his  cupping  Jiorn.  Seventy- 
five  years  ago  it  was  very  fashionable  to  bleed  in  all  diseases. 
Dr.  Wilson  was  not  noted  for  bleeding,  but  if  he  did  not 
bleed,  he  always  cupped,  hence  his  horn  was  never  forgotten. 
It  was  taken  from  the  head  of  a  two-year-old  heifer,  scraped 
so  thin  you  could  easily  see  how  much  blood  was  drawn.  A 
nice  piece  of  ivory  or  horn  closed  the  large  end,  with  a  few 
tacks  or  wire,  and  the  small  end  with  beeswax,  punctured 
with  a  pin — through  this  hole  the  air  is  sucked  out,  and 
with  the  teeth  the  wax  is  made  to  fill  the  hole,  and  the  blood' 
i?  now  poured  out  in  sufficient  quantity  to  relieve  the  patient. 

Dr.  Wilson  was  well  known  in  the  northwestern  half  of 
the  county.  In  those  days  when  physicians  were  few  and 
far  between,  their  practice  was  necessarily  extensive;  and  it 
was  common  for  a  doctor  not  to  see  his  patients  oftener  than 
once  in  two  or  three  days.     In  1830,  before  quinine  was 


150  HISTORY    OF 

discovered,  or  had  been  put  on  the  market,  barks  (Peruvian) 
was  the  great  remedy  to  stop  chills  with.  In  virulent  cases 
a  "bark  jacket"  was  worn.  In  many  cases  grow  round 
(eupertoriumperfolliatum)  a  plant  growing  in  marshy  places, 
was  extensively  used;  but  we  must  not  suppose  the  doctor 
carried  all  these  plants  with  him,  but  they  could  be  obtained 
at  almost  every  house.  He  was  immensely  popular,  was 
invited  to  all  the  parties,  dinings,  weddings  and  entertain- 
ments. One  hundred  years  ago  a  doctor  was  about  on  a 
par  with  the  preacher.  Dr.  Wilson  was  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  was  often  called  on  to  officiate  in  marriages 
when  the  preacher  was  absent. 

Dr.  Wilson  was  married  three  times.  His  first  wife  was 
a  daughter  of  Wm.  B.  Alexander — Elizabeth.  They  had 
six  children.  The  two  youngest — Gilbreth  and  Thomas — 
died  in  the  hospital  in  Richmond,  Va.,  time  of  the  war, 
1862.  Joseph  Mc.  and  J.  A.  Wilson  have  families,  and  are 
farming.  Their  sister,  Isabella,  of  more  than  ordinary  tal- 
ents, married  Mr.  Andrew  Parks — died  a  few  years  ago  in 
Statesville,  leaving  but  three  children.  Dr.  J.  M.  Wilson, 
another  brother,  a  polished  gentleman,  who  was  well  edu- 
cated, graduated  from  Davidson  in  1853,  took  a  fine  stand 
in  class;  taught  school  a  short  time,  studied  medicine  and 
graduated  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  1857;  did  a  large  and  suc- 
cessful practice;  was  not  strong  physically,  and  in  1898 
wound  up  his  course,  a  successful  life. 

Dr.  Isaac  Wilson's  second  wife  was  Miss  Rebecca  Mc- 
Lean, a  daughter  of  the  revolutionary  surgeon.  Dr.  McLearL, 
who  married  a  daughter  of  Maj.  John  Davidson — Mary  (or 
Polly).  She  had  no  children.  She  was  a  most  estimable 
woman,  not  of  a  ro'bust  constitution,  and  lived  but  a  short 
time.  His  third  wife  was  a  widow  by  the  name  of  Mcin- 
tosh, from  Alexander  county.  She  was  also  a  lovely 
woman  and  adorned  the  society  with  which  she  mingled. 
The  evening  of  their  lives  was  spent  happily  together. 
Having  served  his  generation  well,  having  waited  upon  the 
people  for  half  a  century,   having  to  call  him  blessed,  at 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  151 

peace  with  all  men,  he  laid  down  the  burden  of  life  with  a 
bright  hope  of  happiness  in  that  world  beyond  the  grave. 
He  received  a  very  productive  farm  from  his  first  wife's 
father,  twelve  miles  northwest  oi  Charlotte,  west  of  the 
Atlantic,  Tennessee  &  Ohio  Railroad.  Here  he  built  and 
improved  the  place,  and  had  a  most  desirable  residence. 
Dr.  Wilson  lived  in  the  best  part  of  the  Nineteentli  century. 
The  great  wilderness  which  existed  at  the  beginning  of  the 
century,  gradually  began  to  give  way,  houses  sprang  up, 
fields  were  cleared,  churches  and  school  houses  dotted  the 
face  of  the  county,  industry  accomplished  wonders  in  the 
lifetime  of  one  man.  Dr.  Wilson's  life  of  seventy-five 
years  saw  wonderful  changes  in  this  county,  all  tending  for 
the  good  of  the  county ;  best  of  all  the  changes,  was  putting 
up  the  stock  in  pastures,  and  turning  out  the  fields.  Tim- 
ber was  getting  scarce  as  he  neared  the  end  of  life,  and  it 
was  meet  that  we  should  cut  off  the  expense. 

The  expense  of  keeping  up  miles  of  fencing  and  annual 
repairs,  amounted  to  vast  sums  of  money;  and  our  labor 
being  freed,  there  was  no  other  way  left  for  the  people  to 
do  but  to  keep  better  stock  and  less  in  numbers,  and  throw 
our  cultivated  lands  outside.  After  a  few  years  it  gave  per- 
fect satisfaction.  This  grand  movement  in  the  march  of 
civilization  took  place  about  the  time  the  old  doctor  finished 
his  course.  From  1840  to  1850,  the  shooting  match  was 
common  for  beef  or  turkey.  In  this  sport  Dr.  Wilson  often 
indulged.  He  was  not  only  an  expert  with  the  rifle,  but 
was  particularly  fond  of  the  sport.  At  this  time  the  people 
had  not  learned  how  to  preserve  ice,  consequently  but  a 
small  piece  of  beef  could  be  taken  care  of  by  one  family; 
hence  the  necessity  of  having  a  large  number  to  participate 
in  the  match. 

Fox  hunting  was  another  grand  amusement  that  Dr.  Wil- 
son often  joined  in  with  great  pleasure.  He  kept  a  good 
pack  of  hounds,  and  any  time  in  the  fall  or  winter  months, 
when  not  engaged  professionally,  he  would  indulge  in  the 
chase.     Often  he  has  been  seen  to  lead  in  the  chase,  with 


152  HISTORY    OF 

half  a  dozen  sportsmen  and  twenty  dogs.  When  a  red  fox 
was  raised,  the  chase  was  kept  up  for  several  hours,  as  that 
species  are  much  longer-winded  than  the  grey.  With  the 
passing  away  of  Dr.  Isaac  Wilson,  so  also  the  sports  he 
loved  so  well  have  been  forgotten,  remembered  only  by  the 
older  people.  The  shooting  match  is  now  obsolete,  and  the 
fox  hunting  with  the  winding  horn  and  pack  of  dogs  is  an 
exercise  of  the  past. 

WILLIAM    MAXWElvL^    ESQ. 

As  a  general  rule,  we  do  not  see  or  appreciate  the  true 
worth  of  our  public  functionaries  until  they  are  removed 
from  the  sphere  of  their  usefulness.  While  the  memory  of 
Esquire  Maxwell  is  still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  people,  it 
is  well  to  rehearse  what  endeared  him  to  the  people  of  Meck- 
lenburg'. 

He  passed  away  on  the  26th  of  October,  1890,  after 
having  spent  a  useful  life  for  his  family,  for  the  county,  and 
for  the  church.  His  was  a  well  rounded  life,  devoied  both 
to  church  and  State. 

Esquire  Maxwell  was  in  his  82nd  year.  He  was  born  at 
what  is  known  as  the  old  Maxwell  place,  seven  miles  east 
of  Charlotte,  on  September  9,  1809.  He  was  the  third  son 
of  Guy  Maxwell,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  from 
County  Tyrou,  Ireland,  in  1795.  Esquire  Maxwell  was 
twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  E.  Johnston,  a 
sister  of  Nathaniel  Johnston.  She  died  a  year  after  her 
marriage.  His  second  wife  was  Nancy  A.  Morris,  daughter 
of  Col.  Zebulon  Morris,  who  with  three  children — Col.  D. 
G.  Maxwell,  W.  C.  Maxwell,  Esq.,  and  Miss  Carrie  Max- 
well, survive  him.  Esquire  Maxwell  was  long  in  public 
life  in  this  county,  and  his  official  career  was  untarnished. 
He  was  for  a  loug  time  a  member  of  the  old  County  Court, 
and  was  also  its  chairman.  In  1862,  Mr.  William  K.  Reed 
resigned  as  clerk  of  the  court  and  Esquire  Maxwell  was  ap- 
pointed to  fill  out  his  unexpired  term.     That  tegan  Esquire 


WILLIAM  MAXWELL,  ESQ. 


^■^     OF  THE       '>'A 

UNlV£::::iTY  J 


MFXKLENBURG   COUNTY.  153 

Maxwell's  reign  as  a  court  house  official.  He  continued 
as  clerk  of  this  court  until  it  was  abolished  in  1868.  Then 
he  was  appointed  Register  of  Deeds  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term  of  F.  M.  Ross.  He  was  subsequently  repeatedly 
elected  to  that  office  until  December,  1884,  when,  feeling  the 
cares  of  old  age  pressing  upon  him,  declined  to  again  be- 
come a  candidate,  and  retired  to  private  life.  Esquire  Max- 
well was  prominent  as  a  church  man.  For  thirty  years  he 
was.  an  elder  in  Philadelphia  Presbyterian  church,  and  was 
for  twenty-five  years  an  elder  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  of  Charlotte. 

FUNERAL  OF  MR.   MAXV/ELL. 

"The  funeral  service's  over  the  remains  of  the  late  Wil- 
liam Maxwell  were  conducted  from  the  First  Presbyterian 
church.  A  very  large  concourse  of  people,  turned  out  to 
pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of 
the  lamented  dead,  the  main  body  of  the  church  being 
crowded.  The  body  was  inclosed  in  a  very  handsome  cas- 
ket covered  in  black  broadcloth,  and  the  top  was  hidden 
under  a  mass  of  white  flowers.  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  the  pas- 
tor of  the  church,  preached  an  impressive  sermon,  and  at 
its  conclusion  the  body  was  escorted  to  Elm  wood,  where  it 
was  interred.  The  large  crowd  present  eloquently  attested 
the  esteem  in  which  the  deceased  was  held  .by  the  commu- 
nity." 

THE  ElETir  REGISTER  OE  DEEDS. 

Mr.  Maxwell  was  the  fifth  Register  of  Deeds  of  Mecklen- 
burg county,  which  position  he  held  from  1870  to  1884. 
His  immediate  predecessor  was  F.  M.  Ross,  who  held  the 
office  from  1840  to  1870. 

The  first  register  was  Robert  Harris,  who  was  in  office 
from  1763  to  1782.  John  McKnitt  Alexandet  succeeded 
Mr.  Harris,  and  was  register  ten  years.  In  1792  Wm.  Bain 
Alexander  succeeded  his  father,  John  McKnitt  Alexander, 


154  HISTORY    OF 

and  how  long  he  had  the  position  there  are  no  records  to 
tell;  but  between  Wm.  Bain  Alexander's  incumbency  and 
that  of  IMr.  Ross,  who  came  into  office  in  1840,  there  was  a 
time  the  duties  of  Register  of  Deeds  was  performed  by  the 
county  clerk,  or  the  clerk  of  the  Superior  Court.  It  is  evi- 
dent, however,  from  the  great  amount  of  registering  done 
by  Wm.  Bain  Alexander,  that  he  held  the  office  many  years. 
The  registering  work  done  by  Mr.  Maxwell  is  in  a  neat, 
strong,  clear  hand,  and  denotes  method  and  accuracy.  The 
present  register,  Mr.  Cobb,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Maxwell, 
says  that  the  latter  was  one  of  the  best  registers  any  county 
ever  had.  He  never  left  anything  undone  from  one  day  to 
another.     He  was  popular  with  all  classes. 

SUGAR  DUUN. 

This  account  of  Sugar  Dulin  was  foiuid  among  the  papers 
of  the  late  Wm.  Maxwell,  he  having  been  administrator  of 
Sugar  Dulin.  It  was  written  upon  foolscap  paper  and 
doubtless  with  a  quill  pen,  as  that  was  the  only  kind  then 
in  use.  Notwithstanding  the  bad  spelling  and  the  extrava- 
gant use  of  capital  letters,  the  handwriting  is  plain  and  of 
systematical  form,  and  in  fact  will  compare  favorably  with 
the  handwriting  of  the  majority  of  the  business  men  of  to- 
day. He  was  of  great  individuality.  Many  of  his  quaint 
sayings  are  to  this  day  quoted  by  the  old  people  in  the  neigh- 
borhood in  which  he  lived.  He  often  remarked  that  he  had 
more  sense  than  King  Solomon,  for  Solomon  did  not  know 
for  whom  he  was  laying  up  riches,  but  that  "he  knew  that 
he  was  laying  them  up  for  a  set  of  d — d  fools."  It  is  said 
that  Sugar  Dulin' s  father,  Thomas  Dulin,  was  so  fond  of 
sugar  and  rice  that  he  gave  the  name  of  Sugar  to  one  son 
and  rice  to  the  other.  Rice  Dulin  moved  in  early  life  to 
Charleston,  S.  C,  where  he  accumulated  a  considerable 
amount  of  property.  Sugar  Dulin  came  to  Mecklenburg 
county  and  bought  a  large  body  of  land  ten  miles  east  of 
Charlotte,  where  he  lived  and  died  about  1845.     He  was 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I  55 

a  member  of  Pliiladelphia  Presbyterian  church,  and  is  buried 
in  the  old  cemetery  at  that  church,  twelve  miles  east  of 
Charlotte.  As  the  autobiography  states.  Sugar  Dulin  had 
a  great  many  descendants,  and  in  fact,  they  were  so  thickly 
settled  near  Philadelphia  church  that  the  section  was 
called  Dulintown.  The  Dulins  were  all  noted  for  their 
physical  courage,  and  while  they  did  not  have  the  reputation 
of  being  "bullies,"  yet  if  any  man  was  looking  for  a  fight, 
he  could  always  be  accommodated  by  a  Dulin;  and  in  ante- 
bellum days  at  almost  every  session  of  our  old  coimty  courts, 
some  of  the  Dulins  were  charged  with  assault  and  battery, 
but  one  of  the  r'ame  has  never  been  known  to  have  been  in- 
dicted for  a  felony. 

In  the  war  between  the  States  there  were  seven  Dulins  in 
Capt.  D.  G.  Maxwell's  company  (H,  Thirty-fifth  North 
Carolina  Regiment),  and  but  two  of  them  came  home  after 
the  surrender,  snd  they  both  were  wounded. 

The  life  movements  of  Sugar  Dulin  from  birth  to  extreme 
old  age : 

He  lived  in  Mecklenburg  from  1791  till  his  death,  which 
was  almost  a  half  century.  He  was  a  law-abiding  man  and 
a  good  citizen.  This  brief  account  is  given  in  his  own  spell- 
ing, and  distribution  of  capitals  : 

N.  B. — I  was  Born  in  onslow  County,  No.  Carolina,  the 
23rd  Day  of  April,  1763  as  my  parents  sd  any  How  Before 
I  mind  &  they  Settled  within  Two  miles  of  where  Trentown 
in  Jones  County  stands,  &  they  sd  Before  I  mind  they  moved 
Ten  miles  Higher  up  within  one  mile  of  old  Dane!  Shines  & 
there  I  was  Raised  &  lived  until  I  went  to  the  army  &  never 
father  from  Home  than  to  Nubern  until  I  went  to  the  army 
&  then  I  made  it  my  Home  until  I  was  married,  and  then  I 
lived  in  sd  County  until  1791.  I  Removed  to  Mecklenburg 
County  on  the  place  I  now  live  on.  Now  this  the  ist  Day 
of  April,  1835  against  the  21st  of  this  Instant  I  have  lived 
in  Mclinburg  County,  No.  Carolina.  Forty  Two  years,  &c. 


156  HISTORY   OJ? 

Done  with  my  own  Hand  &  the  leading  men  of  this 
County  may  Due  the  Ballance  as  to  my  Carretter  &c. 

Sugar  Dulin. 

I  Have  Hved  with  one  wife  going  on  5 1  years  &  we  Have 
Raised  Five  Sons  &  five  Daughters  &  we  this  Day  counted 
our  Grand  Children  &  we  make  them  94  that  our  Sons  & 
Daughters  has  had  &  we  Counted  13  great  grand  Children. 
This  the  20th  of  March,  1837,  Sugar  Dulin. 

These  people  lived  in  Philadelphia  congregation,  owned  a 
large  tract  of  land,  raised  fine  crops  O'f  grain,  hogs,  cattle, 
horses  and  sheep,  were  all  round  good  citizens,  and  raised 
a  numerous  posterity;  were  ever  ready  to  contend  for  the 
right.  Not  one  of  the  name  was  ever  indicted  for  a  disrepu- 
table transaction ;  never  gave  an  insult,  but  was  quick  to  re- 
sent one. 

dr.   SAMUEL  B.   WATSOKT. 

Dr.  S.  B.  Watson,  of  Philadelphia  neighborhood,  in  this 
county,  passed  away  at  his  home  on  the  24th  of  August, 
1895,  in  his  90th  year.  He  practiced  medicine  sixty-seven 
years.  The  oldest  practitioner  in  the  State,  venerable  in 
years  and  in  the  service  of  his  fellow  man. 

Dr.  Watson  was  born  in  York  county,  S.  C,  December 
17,  1805,  and  with  his  father — Robert  Watson — moved  to 
Charlotte  in  early  boyhood.  He  graduated  from  the  Charles- 
ton Medical  College  in  1828,  and  with  Httle  interruption, 
has  practiced  his  pro'fession  until  within  a  few  days  of  his 
death. 

Dr.  Watson  was  a  plain,  blunt  man,  simple  in  all  his 
habits  and  temperate  in  all  things. 

He  possessed  in  a  marked  degree  the  qualifications  of  the 
true  physician.  With  untiring  devotion  to  his  profession 
and  zeal  for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and  suffering,  he  faithfully 
and  successfully  practiced  medicine  over  a  large  territory  of 


DR.  SAMUEL  BROWN  WATSON. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  157 

rough  country  for  three  score  and  seven  yeais,  and  many 
to-day  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  generations  of  his  patrons  are 
ready  to  rise  up  and  call  him^  blessed.  Dr.  Watson  was  pos- 
sessed with  a  remarkably  retentive  memory.  He  could  re- 
call with  vividness  the  diseases  and  remedies  of  more 
than  half  a  century  and  held  tenaciously  to  many  principles 
and  practices  in  medicines  he  obtained  by  personal,  practi- 
cal experience  at  the  bedside.  He  never  compromised  the 
truth,  nor  became  the  apologist  of  error.  He  had  the  can- 
dor to  tell  his  most  intimate  friends  their  faults.  But  few 
persons  have  approached  so  near  the  centenarian  in  years 
with  so  few  blemishes  in  bis  character  considered  either  as 
a  professional  man,  or  as  a  Christian;  and  we  doubt  not 
that  at  the  last  summons  from  the  Great  Physician  to  come 
up  higher,  he  received  the  welcome  plaudit :  "Well  done  good 
and  faithful  ser^^ant,  enter  thou  into  the  joys  of  thy  Lord." 

REV.    DR.   T.    H.    PRITCHARD. 

One  of  the  most  devoted  and  cooscientious  pastors  that 
was  ever  in  Charlotte.  His  father  was  a  mechanic,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  here  for  many  years  before  the  Civil 
War.  The  doctor  was  loved  by  all  the  people  of  the  city; 
particularly  by  the  children.  He  could  be  grave  and  sedate 
as  occasion  demanded,  or  be  jovial  at  the  festive  board, 
and  always  the  favorite  with  boys.  He  was  immensely  pop- 
ular. He  appeared  as  much  at  ease  in  his  neighbor's  pulpit 
as  in  his  own ;  so  that  wherever  a  guest,  he  had  a  royal  wel- 
come. He  died  in  Wilmington,  and  when  the  train  bearing 
his  remains  arrived  in  Charlotte,  the  people  turned  out  to  do 
him  honor  without  regard  to  denominatiou.  On  May  24, 
1896,  the  last  sad  tribute  of  respect  was  paid  to  the  deceased. 
The  First  Baptist  church  was  exquisitely  draped,  and  flow- 
ers— the  symbol  of  the  Resurrection — were  in  profusion. 

Dr.  Taylor,  president  of  Wake  Forest  College,  was  the 
first  to  lay  his  tribute  of  affection  as  it  found  vent  in  words, 
on  the  bier  of  his  life-long  friend.     He  expressed  gratitude 


158  HISTORY    OF 

for  the  man  as  he  was ;  for  the  triumph  of  his  life  and  death. 
"He  was  a  many-sided  man,"  said  he,  "and  a  man  who 
would  have  been  a  gentleman  even  if  he  had  not  been  a  Chris- 
tian; as  it  was,  he  was  a  Christian  gentleman.  He  was  a 
man  who  never  outgrew  the  child,  nor  child-like  simplicity. 
He  was  genial,  sweet  and  pure.  A  current  of  humor  flowed 
continuously  from  his  heart,  and  a  remarkable  thing  about 
it  was  that  it  was  always  pure.  I  never  heard  him  tell  any- 
thing that  could  not  be  said  before  the  most  modest  woman. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  useful  men  in  the  South.  The  State 
owes  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  it  can  never  pay  for  the  cam- 
paign he  made  in  the  cause  of  education  when  president  of 
Wake  Forest  College.  I  thank  God  for  his  life  work  and 
his  victory." 

Dr.  Preston  followed  Dr.  Taylor,  and  spoke  simply  and 
yet  tenderly  and  beautifully  of  the  deceased.  He  said :  "It 
is  given  to  few  to  have  such  a  funeral  as  this.  Perhaps 
many  of  you  will  never  see  such  another,  I  will  not  refer 
to  the  great  deeds  of  Dr.  Pritchard,  but  to  one  peculiar  some- 
thing about  him  which  always  struck  me  as  forcible,  and 
that  was  the  large  number  of  warm  personal  friends  he  had. 
Had  such  a  wide  and  loving  heart,  and  expressed  his  af- 
fection so  genuinely.  What  would  have  seemed  insincere 
in  others  was  perfectly  genuine  and  correct  in  Dr.  Pritchard. 
No  man  ever  had  more  friends,  and  that  is  the  highest 
tribute  that  can  be  paid.  I  come  with  a  special  message  and 
tribute  from  the  First  Presbyterian  church  to  lay  on  his  bier, 
for  he  was  a  child  of  our  own  Sunday  School.  He  used 
often  to  say  to  me  with  a  twinkle  in  his  eye,  "I  know  the 
Shorter  Catechism,  for  I  learned  it  under  those  old  trees," 
pointing  to  the  church  yard.  Another  remarkable  thing 
about  this  man  was  his  great  power  of  attracting  children. 
He  kept  young,  and  made  himself  so  attractive  to  children 
that  they  all  loved  him  and  to-day  there  would  be  a  thousand 
children  in  this  audience  if  there  was  room  for  them.  I 
want  the  children  to  always  think  of  him  by  the  familiar 
name  they  called  him  on  the  streets.    Dr.  Preston  closed  by 


R.  D,  ALEXANDER,  ESQ. 


MKCKLKNBURG   COUNTY.  1 59 

urging  the  members  of  Tryon  Street  church  to  honor  the 
dead  pastor  by  doing  what  he  would  have  them  do. 

Rev,  Dr.  Bowman  paid  a  most  feeling  tribute  to  his  de- 
ceased brother.  "A  great  man,"  said  he,  "lies  fallen  in  our 
midst.  He  was  great  in  the  way  the  Master  was  great.  We 
find  in  this  man  characteristics  which  were  Christ-like.  I 
am  here  to  bear  witness  of  his  faithfulness,  of  his  genial, 
kind  heart  and  great  efficiency.  I  have  had  the  blessed  ex- 
perience of  knowing  consolation  and  comfort  from  him." 
]\Tay  God  give  us  grace  to  follow  him  and  spend  our  ener- 
gies as  he  did  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  our  fel- 
low men. 

Rev.  L.  C.  Hoffman  and  Rev.  Atkins  and  Rev.  Turrentine 
also  took  part  in  the  solemn  sendees.     Buried  in  Elmwood. 

ROBERT  DAVIDSON  ALEXANDER. 

To  write  of  persons  that  you  have  known  intimately  for 
one-fourth  of  a  century,  it  is  almost  like  communing  with 
the  dead.  Mr.  Alexander  was  the  third  one  of  the  fourteen 
children  of  Wm.  B.  Alexander,  and  a  grandson  of  John  Mc- 
Knitt  Alexander.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
the  old  homestead,  on  the  9th  day  of  August,  1796;  was 
given  a  common  school  education  that  was  built  upon  and 
improved  during  his  whole  life.  He  was  not  so  fond  of  the 
fox  chase,  deer  hunting,  and  the  sports  the  young  men  en- 
gaged in;  but  rather  would  devote  his  spare  moments  to 
reading  the  New  York  Christian  Observer,  the  Intelligencer, 
the  great  organ  of  the  Whig  party,  and  kindred  literature. 
He  was  a  well  informed  man  on  the  great  topics  of  the  day, 
both  civil  and  religious,  and  was  fond  of  discussing  im- 
portant questions.  It  always  afforded  him  pleasure  to  at- 
tend church,  courts,  presbyteries  and  synods.  He  was  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  about  forty  years.  In  his  day  a  man 
was  appointed  for  life,  or  good  behavior,  unless  he  should 
desire  to  resign.  He  did  pretty  much  all  the  business  in  his 
section  of  the  county.     For  many  years  he  was  a  member  of 


l6o  HISTORY    OF 

the  county  court;  emphatically  the  peoples'  court;  many 
were  the  conveniences,  in  the  first  place  it  coist  but  a  trifle, 
all  small  offences  could  be  disposed  oi.  This  court  could 
not  try  civil  cases  where  large  amounts  were  involved ;  but 
in  criminal  cases,  except  murder  and  arson  and  probably 
some  others,  they  meeted  out  justice  without  quams  of  con- 
science. Whipping,  branding,  stocks  and  pillory  were  the 
usual  punishments,  and  the  man  so  punished  generally  left 
the  state. 

He  generally  kept  a  fine  orchard  of  all  kinds  of  fruit;  also 
kept  enough  of  bees  to  furnish  all  the  honey  his  family 
would  consume. 

Mr.  Alexander  married  the  youngest  daughter  of  Rev. 
S.  C.  Caldwell,  Abagail  Bain,  in  1829.  He  built  a  home 
ten  miles  from  Charlotte,  one  mile  northeast  from  the  old 
homestead,  where  John  McKnitt  lived,  and  exercised  such 
a  healthful  influence  upon  the  patriot  cause  during  and  after 
the  Revolutionary  war.  He  built  up  a  handsome  compe- 
tency from  a  well  tended  farm.  Before  the  days  of  rail- 
roads, when  everybody  traveled  horseback,  or  in  a  private 
conveyance,  he  was  never  known  to  refuse  lodging  to  a 
traveler.  He  did  not  keep  a  "Hostlery,"  but  took  in  and  en- 
tertained people  as  a  Christian  duty.  He  had  five  children 
who  lived  to  be  grown ;  the  oldest  son,  Rev.  S.  C.  Alexander, 
D.  D.,  is  now  living  in  Pine  Bluff,  Ark. ;  is  an  evangelist  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  has  labored  in  many  of  the  South- 
ern States,  and  consequently  is  well  known.  A  sister  of  his, 
Agnes,  married  Dr.  W.  B.  Fewell,  of  South  Carolina;  raised 
an  interesting  family.  She  died  in  1897,  ^S^*^^  ^5-  Sbe  was 
an  excellent  Christian  woman.  Dr.  J.  B.  Alexander  prac- 
ticed medicine  in  the  northern  part  of  Mecklenburg  for  the 
third  of  a  century — was  a  surgeon  in  the  Confederate  army 
— in  1890  moved  to  Charlotte.  In  1858  he  married  Miss 
Annie  W.  Lowrie,  of  this  county.  She  died  February  27, 
1893.  Bore  him  six  children — ^but  four  are  now  living.  Their 
second  daughter  was  the  first  woman  south  of  the  Potomac 

-Dr.  Annie  L.  Alexander. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  l6l 

She  is  located  in  Charlotte,  and  has  succeeded  equal  to  ex- 
pectations. W.  D.  Alexander,  Esq.,  lives  in  his  father's  old 
residence,  and  represents  his  father  in  his  magisterial  capac- 
ity, is  an  excellent  farmer  and  wields  a  good  influence  in 
both  church  and  State.  His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of 
Dr.  J.  G.  M.  Ramsay,  of  Tennessee.  She  left  four  children, 
who  are  now  grown ;  the  daughter  married  a  Mr.  Johnston, 
of  Lincoln  county;  Dr.  James  R.  Alexander  has  lately 
moA^ed  to  Charlotte.  The  two  younger  sons,  William  and 
Lattimer,  are  both  in  Charlotte  engaged  in  profitable  work. 
Both  are  nice,  well  behaved  young  gentlemen.  The  young- 
est daughter  of  R.  D.  Alexander,  Lottie,  died  soon  after  her 
education  was  completed  in  1878. 

Mrs.  Abagail  Bain  Alexander  was  more  than  an  ordinary 
personage;  her  parentage,  and  the  exalted  positions  of  her 
brothers  in  the  legal  profession,  one,  Walter  P.  Caldwell,  of 
Greensboro,  and  Septimus  Caldwell,  of  Granda,  Miss. 
Both  brothers  were  great  lights  in  the  profession  of  law; 
five  brothers  of  no  mean  ability,  as  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
who  early  in  life  moved  to  the  Southwest,  where  they  exer- 
cised an  influence  for  good  that  will  extend  through  many 
generations.  Mrs.  Alexander,  when  married,  took  her 
youngest  brother,  Walter,  then  a  small  boy  but  four  or  six 
years  old,  and  raised  him  as  if  her  own  child,  his  parents 
being  dead.  She  was  first  in  all  cases  of  sickness  or  dis- 
tress; she  was  welcome  in  every  house  where  gloom  had  set- 
tled. She  was  broad  in  charity  to  other  denominations, 
particularly  to  the  Methodists.  She  often  worshipped  at  old 
Bethasda.  The  people  there  were  poor  and  ignorant,  and 
had  all  confidence  in  her,  and  applied  to  her  for  help  in  their 
spiritual  perplexities.  This  was  a  mutual  pleasure  for  her 
to  give  and  they  to  receive. 

The  yoimg  people  were  fond  of  her  society ;  always  cheer- 
ful and  happy,  there  was  a  kind  of  contagion  that  young 
folks  were  fond  of. 

She  was  fond  of  horseback  riding,  and  all  her  visiting 
among  the  sick  or  well  in  the  neighborhood  was  on  horse- 


l62  HISTORY   OF 

back.  In  the  early  years  of  the  century  all  classes  rode 
horseback.  Women  thought  it  no  hardship  to  ride  six  to 
eight  miles  to  church,  and  carry  a  baby  on  their  lap.  When 
the  distance  was  not  so  great,  they  would  take  one  also  on 
behind,  tied  to  the  mother  with  a  large  handkerchief,  or 
with  a  hank  of  yarn.  The  old-fashioned  gig  was  used  by 
the  well-to-do  classes.  In  the  country  many  persons  walked 
to  church  and  rested  their  horses.  Mrs.  Alexander  survived 
'her  husband  nearly  twenty  years.  In  1889  she  entered  her 
rest,  being  80  years  old.  Her  childrens'  children  were  old 
enough  and  in  after  years  with  a  full  heart,  called  her 
blessed. 

HON.  R.  p.  WARING. 

Capt.  Waring  was  a  native  Virginian;  came  of  the  old 
English  stock  that  believed  it  as  essential  to  cultivate  the 
mind  as  to  train  the  body.  His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of 
Lewis  D.  Henry,  of  Raleigh,  N.  C.  In  1850  he  first  moved 
to  Charlotte;  just  before  this  he  obtained  license  to  practice 
law,  and  opened  a  law  ofiice  here  to  grow  up  with  the  people, 
and  to  identify  himself  with  the  best  interests  of  the  county 
and  State.  Smallpox  broke  out  here  in  1851,  when  many 
people  were  affected,  some  died,  and  terror  seized  the  whole 
county.  The  terrible  scourge  breaking  out  the  next  year 
after  Capt.  Waring's  appearance,  has  served  as  a  marker  in 
the  last  half  of  the  Nineteenth  century.  The  disease  has 
not  been  wanting  here  for  the  last  six  months,  and  the 
most  nervous  people  have  not  lost  an  hour's  sleep  on  ac- 
count of  the  epidemic,  it  is  so  mild. 

Capt.  Waring  commenced  editing  the  Demdcrat  in  June, 
1852.  He  was  a  success  as  an  editor.  If  he  had  put  all 
his  time  to  his  paper  instead  of  attempting  to  run  a  law 
office  at  the  same  time,  his  success  would  have  been  com- 
plete. He  was  elected  county  attorney  in  1855,  and  gave 
universal  satisfaction.  He  was  made  elector  in  1856  on  the 
National  Democratic  platform  for  the  election  of  James 
Buchanan  president. 


MECKI.ENBURG  COUNTY.  163 

In  1859,  he  was  elected  county  attorney  the  second  time, 
which  showed  how  popular  he  was  before  the  war.  He 
soon  resigned  his  office  of  county  attorney  to  accept  a  consul- 
ship in  the  Danish  West  Indian  Islands,  which  important 
position  he  held  until  war  had  been  declared  against  the 
South,  when  he  immediately  came  home,  barely  escaping 
arrest  in  New  York,  as  he  had  to  come  that  way  to  get 
home,  and  render  an  account  of  his  consulship. 

When  he  reached  home  his  country  was  one  vast  camp, 
one  side  determined  to  subdue  and  conquer  the  South;  the 
South  as  fully  determined  to  defend  that  which  was  achieved 
by  our  forefathers  in  the  Eighteenth  century.  He  raised 
a  company,  went  to  the  front  and  fought  gallantly  for  the 
cause  of  the  South.  When  the  war  was  over,  he  came  back 
home  and  edited  the  Times.  He  was  a  bold  and  fearless 
writer,  criticised  the  reconstruction  plans  by  which  they  in- 
tended to  humiliate  our  people;  he  denounced  the  govern- 
ment they  inaugurated  as  a  "military  despotism"  instead 
of  a  republic.  For  this  crime  (f)  he  was  arrested  in  the 
dead  hours  of  the  night,  carried  off  to  Raleigh,  tried  by  a 
military  court,  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  $300.00  within 
five  days,  or  be  imprisoned  for  six  months.  This  fact  and 
others  of  a  similar  nature  could  be  narrated,  that  were  per- 
petrated on  our  people  six  months  after  the  surrender,  when 
we  thought  the  civil  courts  were  enough  to  take  cognizance 
of  the  infraction  of  laws. 

The  county  had  every  confidence  in  Capt.  Waring,  and 
had  him  frequently  to  head  the  ticket  for  the  Legislature — 
twice  in  the  House  of  Commons  and  four  or  more  times  in 
the  Senate.  He  was  a  man  of  ability  and  unswerving  hon- 
esty and  patriotism. 

For  a  number  of  years  he  was  judge  of  the  Inferior  Court. 
He  held  the  position  until  this  court  was  done  away  with. 
During  the  entire  time  he  gave  great  satisfaction,  and  the 
rapid  dispatch  of  business.  His  services  were  secured  to 
canvass  the  county  for  the  contribution,  or  the  taking  of 
stock  in  the  Charlotte  and  Atlanta  Railroad,  by  Mecklen- 


164  HISTORY   OP 

burg-  county.  The  wisdom  of  building-  this  road  has  been 
amply  shown  by  the  benefit  it  has  been  to  the  city.  In  every 
position  that  Capt.  Waring  has  occupied,  his  services  have 
always  been  endorsed  by  the  people  of  the  county. 

ADAM    BREVARD    DAVIDSON. 

Mr.  Davidson  was  well  known  not  only  in  Mecklenburg 
county,  but  all  throug-h  Western  North  Carolina  as  the  fore- 
most farmer  in  this  part  of  the  State.  He  was  also  well 
known  in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  for  his  fine  cattle, 
especially  for  his  herd  of  Devons  and  Durhams. 

Until  the  war  between  the  States,  Mr.  Davidson  was  prob- 
ably the  most  wealthy  man  in  the  county.  When  a  young 
man  he  married  a  daughter  O'f  Mr.  John  (commonly  Jack) 
Springs,  of  South  Carolina.  His  father  gave  him  the  large 
and  elegant  brick  dwelling  house  built  by  Maj,  John  David- 
son in  1787.  Here  Mr.  A.  B.  Davidson  lived  and  raised  a 
large  family,  and  accumulated  a  large  estate.  He  was  very 
liberal  in  his  support  of  Hopewell  church  and  all  benevolent 
objects.  He  was  always  an  ardent  Whig,  was  a  firm  be- 
liever in  the  doctrine  of  internal  improvements;  subscribed 
largely  to  building  railroads,  had  large  amounts  in  cotton 
mills  in  Augusta,  Ga.,  contributed  of  his  wealth  to  build 
the  A.  T.  &  O.  Railroad,  and  since  the  war  crippled  every 
one  so  severely,  he  urged  the  county  to  vote  $300,000  to 
build  the  Atlanta  road  and  rebuild  the  Statesville  road.  This 
road  bed  was  taken  up — that  is  the  iron  and  cross  ties — to 
build  the  road  from  Greensboro  to  Danville,  which  was 
deemed  a  necessity  dliring  the  war.  Mr.  Davidson  lost  by 
the  war,  and  by  security  for  his  friends,  four-fifths  of  his 
estate.  He  was  worth  prior  to  1865,  a  half  million  of  dol- 
lars. He  was  a  very  busy  man,  as  he  always  looked  after 
bis  own  affairs.  He  employed  overseers  on  his  plantations 
where  everything  was  raised  or  made  that  was  used  on  his 
farm.  Farming  w^s  very  different  fifty  years  ago  from 
what  it  is  now.     Whatever  was  necessary  to  feed  the  stock, 


A.   B.  DAVIDSON,  ESQ. 


MKCKLKNBURG   COUNTY.  165 

the  hands  and  the  family,  to  clothe  and  shoe  the  family,  was 
raised  on  the  farm.  Every  farmer  of  any  consequence  nad 
one  of  their  slaves  for  a  shoemaker,  one  a  carpenter  and  a 
blacksmith,  a  woman  for  a  weaver.  So  nothing  was  to  buy 
but  salt,  sugar,  coffee,  molasses,  etc.  Store  bills  amounted 
to  but  little,  and  when  bread  and  meat  had  to  be  bought,  it 
was  looked  for  in  the  coimty.  A  doctor's  bill  could  not 
well  be  avoided;  but  the  doctors  in  those  days  had  some 
conscience,  and  were  as  successful  then  as  fifty  years  later. 

Mr.  Davidson  did  not  have  the  advantage  that  his  younger 
brothers  had  in  the  way  of  education;  but  he  had  a  large 
amount  of  common  sense,  listened  to  what  other  people  ex- 
pressed, then  drew  his  own  conclusions  and  was  rarely 
wrong. 

Some  twenty  years  before  he  died,  he  became  thoroughly 
disgusted  with  free  labor.  He  moved  to  Charlotte  and  quit 
the  farm.  Pie  owned  quite  an  interest  in  city  property,  and 
confined  himself  to  improving  his  property  here  and  rented 
the  farms  not  given  to  his  children.  Before  he  died  his 
noted  old  home,  "Rural  Hill,"  was  burned;  the  old  home- 
stead and  surroundings  were  not  kept  in  the  repair  of  forty 
years  ago;  the  old  place  is  much  changed,  and  in  fact  bears 
but  a  faint  resemblance  to  what  it  was  when  Mr.  Davidson 
looked  over  some  three  thousand  acres  of  land,  and  slaves 
enough  to  keep  it  in  splendid  repair,  and  have  the  large 
pastures  filled  with  mares  and  colts,  and  the  finest  of  cattle, 
sheep  and  swine.  Our  old  civilization  has  been  swept  away, 
and  we  are  living  under  the  new  order  of  things. 

Mr.  Davidson's  mother  was  Sally  Brevard,  a  daughter  of 
Adam  Brevard,  who  was  a  brother  of  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard, 
the  draftsman  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  A  story 
is  told  that  one  morning  after  a  hard  rain,  Maj.  John  Da- 
vidson called  his  son  Jacky  (who  in  after  years  was  the 
father  of  Mr.  A.  B.  Davidson),  and  told  him:  "While  the 
ground  is  too  wet  to  plow,  go  and  get  your  horse  saddled 
and  get  yourself  dressed  and  go  over  to  Adam  Brevard's 
and  court  Sally;  I  think  she  will  make  you  a  good  wife. 


1 66  HISTORY    OF* 

Now  you  have  no  time  to  fool  about  it;  the  ground  will  be 
dry  enough  to  plow  by  to-morrow."  Jacky  went  like  a  duti- 
ful son,  and  Sally  acquiesced  in  the  proposition.  They  lived 
d  long  time,  led  a  useful  life  and  raised  a  large  family  of 
children.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  eldest,  he 
was  born  March  19,  1808,  and  died  July  4,  1896. 

In  the  long  ago  it  was  not  uncommon  for  families  to 
iiove  private  burying  grounds  before  churches  were  so 
rumerous,  or  rather  before  any  were  built.  Maj.  John  Da- 
vidson had  a  private  plat  a  little  west  of  the  front  of  his 
house,  probably  started  before  the  one  at  Hopewell  church. 
Nearly  the  whole  of  the  Davidson  family  are  entombed 
there.  Maj.  Davidson's  sister,  Mary,  who  married  John 
Price,  is  buried  at  Baker's  graveyard,  about  five  miles  to- 
wards Beattie's  Ford.  It  is  overgrown  with  large  trees  of 
many  varieties.  Some  old  stones,  grey  rock,  covered  with 
moss,  render  the  letters  unintelligible.  The  old  resting 
place  is  now  forgotten  by  all  save  a  few  who  live  near  it. 
Two  desolate  places  for  so  important  personages  to  occupy, 
Maj.  John  Davidson,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, at  one  place,  and  his  sister  at  another, 

PATRICK  HARTY. 

Patrick  Harty  and  wife  came  from  Ireland  to  America  in 
the  year  1820.  They  crossed  the  Atlantic  ocean  in  a  sailing 
vessel  and  landed  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  where  they 
stayed  but  a  short  time,  when  he  was  induced  to  move  into 
the  up  country.  The  neighborhood  is  now,  as  then  known, 
as  Coddle  Creek,  where  there  is  a  church  by  that  name.  He 
worked  there  at  his  trade' — brick  mason  and  plasterer.  He 
die'  not  stay  there  long  as  work  was  more  plentiful  in  Meck- 
lenburg, so  he  moved  his  family  to  Charlotte  and  worked 
aiound  through  the  county. 

The  people  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  in  Clear 
Creek  Township,  employed  Mr.  Harty  to  build  Philadel- 
phia church.     It  is  a  fine  structure  for  that  period.     The 


MECKI^ENBURG  COUNTY.  167 

people  of  that  section  were  skillful  and  industrious  farmers, 
therefore  they  put  up  a  building-  in  keeping  with  their  ability. 
Mr.  Harty  never  put  up  a  shoddy  job.  Mecklenburg  county 
employed  him,  as  an  expert,  to  look  after  the  building  of  the 
court  house  on  West  Trade  street,  in  1845;  but  the  county 
has  disposed  of  it  for  a  new  one  that  is  better  and  more  up- 
to-date,  on  South  Tryon  street.  Mr.  Harty  became 
thoroughly  identified  with  our  people.  He  raised  and  edu- 
cated his  children  here  at  home,  three  boys  and  four  girls,  all 
useful  citizens.  His  son  William,  for  a  number  of  years, 
clerked  for  various  merchants.  In  1846  he  clerked  for  Hen- 
derson &  Smith,  at  Davidson  College.  He  was  a  popular 
salesman  and  efficient  in  his  work.  Mr.  John  Harty  was  a 
carriage  maker  in  the  town,  did  excellent  work.  For  a  long- 
time his  shop  was  on  the  corner  of  College  and  Trade.  This 
was  before  the  cotton  market  was  developed,  when  corn 
and  wheat  was  grown  up  to  Harty's  shops.  Harty  owned 
the  lands  contiguous  to  his  shop,  and  was  at  that  time  con- 
sidered of  little  value  only  as  farm  lands. 

Mr.  Harty  made  vehicles  upon  honor.  If  he  sold  a  buggy 
and  harness,  he  would  warrant  it  to  stand  three  years,  but 
he  would  charge  from  $150  to  $200.  His  buggies  were 
known  to  last,  with  ordinary  care,  from  ten  to  fifteen  years ; 
but  in  those  days  they  were  not  in  every  day  use. 

Mr.  Harty  was  at  one  time  in  partnership  with  Mr. 
Charles  Wilson.  They  were  the  principal  carriage  makers 
in  all  this  section  of  country.  James  Harty  began  clerking 
in  a  store  while  a  mere  boy.  He  proved  an  expert  in  this 
line  of  business,  and  he  followed  it  until  he  could  operate  a 
store  of  his  own.  He  probably  had  the  first  china  store  in 
the  city.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Frank  Ross,  and 
raised  an  interesting  family.  He  is  one  of  the  old  land- 
marks of  the  tOAvn.  He  has  hosts  of  friends,  and  is  often 
appealed  to  for  information  relating  to  events  that  occurred 
fifty  or  more  years  ago. 


l68  HISTORY   OF 

THE  CAMPBElvL  FAMILY  OF  MECKIvENBURG. 

Duglas  Camipbell  came  from  Scotland  in  1720,  and  settled 
in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  had  many  descendants.  It  is  not 
known  in  what  year  Alexander  Campbell  came  to  this 
county,  but  it  is  certain  that  he  came  prior  to  1775.  He  en- 
tered a  larg-e  tract  of  land  south  of  Hickory  Grove  church. 
Alexander  W^allis  now  lives  on  a  part  of  it,  six  or  seven 
miles  east  of  Charlotte.  Alexander  Campbell  had  two  sons, 
John  and  Isaac,  and  one  daughter,  who  moved  West.  Isaac 
Campbell  was  born  in  1780,  and  died  in  1854.  He  was 
twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Catharine  Orr.  She  died 
before  she  reached  middle  life,  in  1820.  Isaac  Campbell's 
second  wife — whom  he  married  twenty  years  after  the  death 
of  his  first — was  a  Miss  Johnston,  who  was  the  mother  of 
our  countyman,  Mr.  Joe  Lee  Campbell,  of  Clear  Creek 
Township.  John  Campbell  had  quite  a  large  family — ^John, 
Frank,  Mark,  Henry,  Robert  and  Joab,  and  two  daughters, 
Abigail  marrying  a  Mr.  Taylor,  and  Dorcas  married  a 
Smith,  the  mother  of  ex-Sheriff  Smith. 

Isaac  Campbell's  first  wife — Catherine  Orr — had  a 
daughter,  Lydia  Campbell,  who  was  the  mother  of  our  ven- 
erable friend  and  fine  soldier,  Julius  P.  Alexander,  in  the 
Confederate  army.  Frank  Campbell  was  a  mo'St  efficient 
elder  in  Hopewell  church.  In  the  early  part  of  the  century 
the  Campbell's  were  among  the  most  active  supporters  of 
the  church  at  Sugar  Creek,  bore  an  active  part  in  all  educa- 
tional enterprises,  and  whatever  would  tend  to  build  the  in- 
terests of  the  county. 

W.  F.  PHIFER. 

WiLUAM  FuLENWiDER  Phifer  was  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Charlotte,  from  1850  until  his  death,  30th  December, 
1882.  He  was  born  in  Cabarrus  coimty  February  15,  1809, 
and  was  a  descendant  of  Martin  Phifer,  who  came  from 
Berne,  Switzerland,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Provencial 


W.  F.  PHIFER. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  l6g 

AsFembly  at  New  Bern,  and  is  honorably  mentioned  in  the 
Colonial  Records. 

MARTIN    PHIFER. 

Martin  Phifer  had  three  sons :  John,  who  was  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Mecklenburg-  Declaration  of  Independence; 
Caleb,  who  represented  Cabarrus  county  almost  continu- 
ously for  many  years  in  the  Legislature,  and  Martin  Phifer, 
who  was  a  Captain  of  Horse  from  Mecklenburg  county  in 
the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  is  spoken  of  by  other  writers 
as  Colonel  Phifer,  He  had  extensive  grants  of  land  in  Tert- 
nesse'e,  upon  which  some  of  his  descendants  still  live. 

President  George  Washington,  in  his  Southern  tour, 
stayed  over  night  at  Cold  Water,  the  home  of  Colonel  Mar- 
tin Phifer. 

George  Phifer  was  at  one  time  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Ca- 
barrus county,  and  he  was  the  son  of  Martin  Phifer,  and  the 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

W.  F.  Phifer,  as  he  signed  himself,  was  a  planter,  this 
being  the  occupation  of  all  his  ancestors,  though  he  began 
life  in  Cabarnis  as  a  merchant  and  was  associated  with  the 
late  R.  W.  Allison,  Esq. 

He  completed,  his  education  at  Hampden-Sidney  College, 
Va.,  and  his  frequent  trips  to  Northern  markets,  most  of  the 
way  on  horseback,  broadened  his  views  and  observation. 

He  was  first  married  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Colonel  Rob- 
ert Smith,  who  died,  leaving  one  daughter,  Sarah  Smith 
Phifer,  who  married  John  L.  MoTchead,  Esq. 

He  then  became  associated  with  his  brothers,  and  moved 
to  Alabama,  and  engaged  in  cotton  planting  for  several 
years.  On  the  loth  of  April,  1849,  he  married  Mary  Martha 
White,  daughter  of  W.  E.  White,  Esq.,  of  Fort  Mill,  S.  C, 
and  soon  thereafter  he  brought  back  his  slaves  and  farming 
equipments,  and  settled  not  far  from  where  his  life  began. 
He  revolutionized  the  cultivation  of  cotton  in  this  section  of 
the  countrv. 


170  HISTORY   OF 

Near  and  in  Charlotte  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  known 
as  the  Lucky  estate,  and  other  lands,  and  predicted,  in  spite 
of  the  jeers  of  his  friends,  a  great  future  for  this  town,  and 
said  he,  "In  later  years  there  will  be  houses  and  streets 
where  my  plantation  now  lies,  for,"  he  continued,  "the  pros- 
pect for  a  city  is  better  than  any  I  saw  at  Atlanta,  on  my 
horseback  trips  to  Alabama." 

The  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Wm.  Holt  he  built,  and 
most  of  the  brick  was  hauled  from  Cabarrus  county.  This 
house  was  prominently  situated  in  a  five-acre  square, 
bounded  by  Tryon  street  and  College  street.  Twelfth  street 
and  College  avenue,  afterwards  called  Phifer  avenue,  by 
the  Board  of  Aldermen,  in  his  honor.  "I  will  not  live,"  Mr, 
Phifer  said,  "to  enjoy  much  of  the  refreshing  shade,  yet  I 
will  plant  trees  and  others  may  enjoy  them."  And  these 
beautiful  oaks  stand  now  as  a  monument  of  his  thoughtf ni- 
nes s. 

He  donated  half  of  the  land  upon  which  now  stands  the 
Presbyterian  College  for  Women,  and  for  this  he  was  given 
a  complimentary  share  of  stock  in  the  school,  and  this  stock 
was  afterwards  donated  by  his  heirs  to  the  present  corpora- 
tion. 

He  had  great  love  for  order  and  the  beautiful,  and  em- 
ployed a  landscape  gardener  to  beautify  his  yard  and  lay  off 
the  walks,  and  in  this  yard  are  found  the  most  beautiful  of 
the  native  trees.  The  color  effect  of  the  foliage  of  the 
Autumn  was  taken  into  consideration. 

He  disliked  crooked  lines  and  gave  his  land  to  straighten 
a  street  on  his  neighbor's  side.  The  regularity  of  that  part 
of  the  city  known  as  Mechanicsville,  is  in  striking  contrast 
to  some  other  parts  of  the  city. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War,  he  was  a  man  of  con- 
siderable fortune,  which  he  had  amassed  in  farming ;  and,  be 
it  said  to  his  praise,  almost  every  slave  he  owned  remained 
with  him  for  the  first  two  years  of  their  freedom  and  always 
spoke  of  him  with  love  and  respect. 

He  was  always  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  an  enthu- 


mkcklenburg  county.  171 

siastic  Southem'er.  Thoug-h  too  old  for  service  in  the  war, 
his  home  was  always  open  to  the  hungry  soldiers,  who  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  war  filed  in  almost  daily  to  have  their 
wants  supplied.  Mr.  Phifer  was  a  m'an  of  generous  im- 
pulses and  was  loyail  to  his  friends. 

Mr.  Green  Caldwell  was  superintendent  of  the  United 
States  Mint,  and  one  Sunday  the  Charlotte  Grays  captured 
the  Mint.  This  caused  much  comment  by  the  people,  as 
they  went  to  church.  This  came  near  being  very  disastrous 
to  Mr.  Phifer,  for  when  the  war  closed,  he  was  sued  by  the 
Government,  as  Mr.  Caldwell's  bondsman,  and  judgment 
was  obtained  for  $25,000.00.  However,  through  the  aid 
of  powerful  friends,  a  relief  bill  was  procured  through  Con- 
gress. Otherwise  the  remnant  of  his  estate  would  have  been 
swept  away. 

General  Beauregard  had  his  headquarters  (and  many  of 
his  staff  were  with  him)  for  more  than  a  month  at  his  house, 
and  though  there  was  much  confusion  incident  to  the  tur- 
moils of  war,  yet  neither  he  nor  his  wife  ever  complained, 
but  accepted  the  situation  gracefully  and  did  all  in  their 
power  to  make  the  time  agreeable  for  the  warriors,  and 
often  the  music  of  the  evening  was  hushed  to  hear  read  some 
dispatch  foreshadowing  the  fall  of  the  Confederacy. 

The  headquarters  of  the  army  moved  to  Greensboro,  and 
President  Davis  came  to  Charlotte  and  Mr.  George  A.  Tren^ 
holm  and  wife  became  the  guests  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phifer. 

The  last  full  meeting  of  the  Confederate  Cabinet  (and, 
in  the  recollection  of  the  writer,  all  were  present)  was  held 
in  the  West  room  up  stairs  in  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Wm.  Holt. 

l^he  cause  of  its  meeting  there  was  the  fact  that  Mr.  Tren- 
holm,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was  ill  and  confined  to 
bed.  Mr.  Trenholm  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  ac- 
cepted. President  Davis  then  moved  south  and  another 
meeting  was  held  near  Fort  Mill,  S.  C,  under  an  old  sassa- 
fras tree,  in  front  of  the  old  home  place  of  W.  E.  White, 
Esq.,  (the  father  of  Mrs.  Phifer),  and  which  Captain  S.  E. 


172  HISTORY   OF 

White,  a  brother,  declares  that  this  was  the  last  Confederate 
Cabinet  meeting. 

By  the  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Phifer,  to  Mary  Martha 
White,  there  are  seven  living  children.  Sons,  William 
White,  RoDert  Smith,  George  Martin  and  Edward  White. 
Daughters,  Mrs.  M.  C.  Quinn,  Miss  Cordelia  White  and 
Mrs.  Wm.  G.  Durant. — Contributed  by  W.  W.  Phifer. 

COL.   ZEB.    MORRIS. 

CoL.  Zhbulon  Morris  was  born  April  23,  1789,  and  died 
May  I,  1872.  He  was  the  youngest  son  of  William  Morris 
and  Elizabeth  Ford  Morris,  the  daughter  of  John  Ford, 
Esq.,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of 
Independence.  He  was  born,  lived  and  died  on  the  same 
plantation,  a  part  of  the  old  Ford  estate,  ten  miles  east  of 
Charlotte,  on  the  Lawyers'  Road.  He  was  married  to 
Martha  Rea,  the  daughter  of  the  Hon.  John  Rea,  January 
13,  1814.  He  was  a  remarkable  man  in  a  great  many  re- 
spects, as  gentle  and  amiable  as  a  woman  and  as  bold  and 
fearless  as  a  lion.  As  deputy  sheriff  of  this  county,  on  one 
occasion  he  arrested  a  desperado,  who  swore  that  he  would 
kill  the  first  man  who  attempted  to  arrest  him.  Col.  Morris 
handed  his  pistol  to  a  man  who  had  accompanied  him  and 
advanced  unarmed  on  the  desperado,  who  threw  down  his 
gun  and  said,  "Zeb  Morris,  you  are  the  only  man  who  could 
have  arrested  me  alive." 

Col.  Morris  owned  a  great  many  slaves,  to  whom  he  was 
very  kind,  and  they  showed  their  attachment  to  him  by  re- 
maining on  his  plantation  after  the  surrender.  He  owned 
about  1,500  acres  of  land,  was  a  lover  of  fine  horses  and  a 
most  graceful  rider.  In  fact,  it  was  a  common  saying — 
when  anyone  rode  well — "he  sits  in  the  saddle  like  Zeb  Mor- 
ris." 

Below  are  two  obituary  notices,  one  by  Rev.  R.  Z.  Jo'hn- 
ston  and  the  other  by  the  late  Wm.  Yates,  editor  of  the  Char- 
lotte Democrat : 


COL.  ZEBULON  MORRIS. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  I73 

This  man's  death  will  carry  sadness  and  sorrow  to  many 
hearts.  He  was  an  old  man — 83  years  and  7  days — and  it 
would  be  difficult  to  point  to  another  whose  death  would 
sadden  so  many  homes  in  our  community.  He  lived  fifty- 
eight  years  and  three  months  with  the  wife  of  his  youth,  who 
survives  him  at  the  advanced  ag-e  of  76  years.  He  raised 
a  large  family,  and  had  46  grandchildren,  26  of  whom  are 
living,  and  18  great  grand-children,  15  of  whom  are  living. 
Children  and  grand-children  live  in  this  county  and  adjoin- 
ing counties,  in  easy  communication  with  the  old  family  res- 
idence. Great  was  the  lamentation  to-day  over  one  so 
agreeably  connected  in  these  dear  and  tender  relationships, 
when  his  familiar  face  was  seen  for  the  last  time,  cold  in 
death,  in  the  spacious  family  hall,  and 

"  The  knell,  the  shroud,  the  mattock,  and  the  grave  ; 
The  deep  damp  vault,  the  darkness,  and  the  worm," 

told  us  how  "the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away." 

That  dear  old  home — the  dearest  spot  on  earth  to  so  many 
loving  hearts,  the  scene  of  so  much  pleasure  in  former  days 
— is  dismantled.  Though  the  day  has  been  one  of  the  live- 
liest of  the  season,  even  the  beautiful  lawn  around  the  man- 
sion and  the  venerable  oaks  that  shade  the  old  spring,  and 
the  orchards,  seemed  to  put  on  mourning,  and  the  birds 
seemed  to  sing 

"  How  vain  are  all  things  here  below. 
How  false  and  yet  how  fair! 
Each  pleasure  has  its  poison  too, 
And  every  sweet  a  snare." 

Col.  Morris  lived  to  look  upon  strange  faces  in  familiar 
places,  and  to  feel  like  a  lonely  representative  of  a  former 
generation.  That  venerable,  faithful  and  useful  man,  and 
his  life-long  family  physician,  in  whose  arms  he  may  almost 
be  said  to  have  fallen  asleep,  Dr.  Samuel  Watson,  and  a 
few  others,  whose  locks  are  white  and  whose  infirmities  are 
multiplied,  are  all  that  remain  to  tell  us  of  better  days.  O 
how  can  those  who  knew  him  afiford  to  give  him  up ! 


174  HISTORY   OF 

"  Our  dearest  joys,  and  nearest  friends, 
The  partners  of  our  blood. 
How  they  divide  our  wavering-  minds, 
And  leave  but  half  for  God  !" 

He  was  a  successful  man;  though  living-  on  thin  land, 
nothing  ever  went  lean  and  hungry  about  him.  Constant 
in  his  friendship,  liberal  to  the  poor,  just  in  his  dealings, 
true  to  his  engagements,  kind  to  his  children  and  servants, 
tender  in  his  feelings,  and  generous  with  his  hospitality,  he 
was  a  gentleman  always  and  everywhere.  His  piety  was 
unassuming,  but  deep,  and  the  Philadelphia  Church  has 
buried  a  constant  and  substantial  supporter. 

The  I  St  day  of  May,  1872,  will  long  be  a  melancholy  day 
to  pastor  and  people.  "Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and 
He  shall  sustain  thee."  May  this  promise  moderate  the  sor- 
rcws  of  the  mourners  in  this  melancholy  event,  till  "they 
that  weep  be  as  though  they  wept  not;"  and  "God  shall  wipe 
away  all  tears  from  their  eyes ;  and  there  shall  be  no  more 
death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any 
pain."  R.  Z.  J. 

DIDD. 

In  this  county,  o-n  the  ist  instant,  after  a  short  illness,  Col. 
Zebulon  Morris,  in  the  83rd  year  of  his  age.  Up  to  within 
a  few  weeks  of  his  death  Col.  Morris  was  a  man  of  extra- 
ordinary physical  and  mental  ability.  He  raised  a  large 
number  of  children,  men  and  women  of  respectability  and 
worth,  and  Hved  to  see  them  all  settled  in  life,  and  his  grand- 
children and  great-grand-children  starting  out  in  the  jour- 
ney of  this  world's  trials  and  crosses.  Col.  Zeb  Morris  was 
no  ordinary  man,  as  the  writer  of  this  paragraph  knows. 
He  was  faithful  and  true  as  a  man  and  friend,  as  an  old-line 
Democrat  and  patriot,  and  as  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  always  a  firm  friend  of  the  right  and 
an  enemy  of  wrong  doing  in  any  shape.  He  leaves  a  large 
number  of  relatives  and  friends  in  this  county  to  mourn  the 
death  of  a  true  man  and  a  good  citizen.     Mecklenburg 


\ 

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i^L 

GEN.  WM.   H.   NEAL. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  1/5 

county  'has,   indeed,   lost  a  devoted  husband  of   55   years 
loving  intercourse.     Peace  to  the  good  old  man's  ashes. 

Editor  Democrat. 

gen.  wm.  h.  neal. 

Gen.  William  H.  Neal  was  born  in  the  extreme  south- 
em  part  of  Mecklenburg  county,  near  the  Catawba  river, 
in  the  year  1799,  and  died  in  the  year  1889.  He  died  at  his 
residence  within  a  few  miles  of  the  place  of  his  birth.  Gen. 
Neal  was  married  in  1819  to  Miss  Hannah  G.  Alexander, 
and  from  this  marriage  were  born  the  following  children, 
namely : 

Samuel  Wallace  Neal,  now  deceased,  who  lived  and  died 
in  Indian  Territory;  Dr.  Thomas  C.  Neal,  who  was  a  well 
known  physician  of  Mecklenburg  county  and  who  died  in 
1901 ;  Susan  Emily  Neal,  who  married  the  late  Rev.  Walter 
W.  Pharr,  and  who  is  now  living  in  Charlotte;  Mary  Ade- 
line Neal,  who  married  the  late  Capt.  M.  H.  Peoples,  who  is 
now  dead ;  Nancy  Elvira  Neal,  who  married  the  late  Robert 
W.  McDowell  and  is  now  deceased;  W.  B.  Neal.  now  de- 
ceased; Louisa  A.  Neal,  who  married  the  late  Rev.  J.  B. 
Watt,  and  is  now  living  in  Steele  Creek  township;  and  Pres- 
ton A.  Neal,  who  is  now  living  in  Rock  Hill,  S.  C. 

Gen.  Neal's  first  wife  died  a  number  of  years  before  his 
death,  and  he  afterwards  married  Mrs.  Martha  D.  William- 
son, who  survived  him,  but  there  were  no  children  born  of 
this  marriage.  Gen.  Neal  was  always  one  of  the  leading 
and  prominent  citizens  of  Mecklenburg  county. 

For  many  years  he  was  a  general  of  the  old  Ante-Bellum 
Militia,  and  it  was  in  this  way  that  he  acquired  the  title  by 
which  he  was  always  known.  He  was  a  County  Commis- 
sioner for  a  number  of  years  and  always  took  an  active  in- 
terest in  public  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  very  first  in 
this  State  to  engage  in  the  cotton  manufacturing  business 
and  for  a  number  of  years  before  the  war  he  successfully 
operated  a  cotton  mill  on  the  Catawba  river  near  his  home. 


176  HISTORY   OF 

He  was  a  devoted  member  of  Steele  Creek  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  always  took  an  especial  pride  in  his  church. 

As  soon  as  he  reached  manhood  he  married  and  built  him 
a  home  on  a  tract  of  land  adjoining  his  birthplace,  and  it 
was  here  that  he  spent  all  the  years  of  his  long  and  useful 
life.  He  was  always  interested  in  anything  pertaining  to 
machinery  and  during  his  whole  life  was  engaged  in  operat- 
ing a  mill  of  some  kind  or  other;  before  and  during  the  war 
operating  a  cotton  factory  and  a  flour  mill,  and  after  the 
war  operating  a  flour  mill. 

In  an  unostentatious  manner  he  spent  his  life  and  he  was 
a  man  of  highest  character,  standing  and  integrity  in  his 
county  and  community. 

THK  GARRISON  FAMILY. 

Joseph  Garrison  was  the  progenitor  of  all  of  the  name 
in  the  county.  He  came  from  Pennsylvania  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  Eig'hteenth  century.  He  entered  a  large  amount 
of  land  in  Mallard  Creek  section,  and  divided  it  out  among 
the  early  settlers,  in  order  to  have  neighbors. 

Mr.  Garrison  built  the  first  bridge  over  Mallard  creek,  be- 
tween Mallard  Creek  church  and  Back  Creek  church.  The 
descendants  show  a  piece  of  his  old  family  Bible,  probably 
two  hundred  years  old.  His  children  were  David,  Joshua, 
John,  Arthur,  James,  Jane,  and  Sarah,  None  of  these  left 
issue,  except  James,  who  died  at  65,  in  the  year  1854.  His 
daughter,  Viney,  married  George  Monteeth,  and  then  moved 
West.  Sarah  married  James  Robinson  and  died  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  the  county. 

W.  Manson  Garrison  married  and  moved  to  West  Ten- 
nessee ;  L.  S.  Garrison  died  young,  and  left  one  child ;  B.  H. 
Garrison  married  Mary  Ann  Hunter,  daughter  of  Robert 
Hunter,  had  eight  children — some  of  whom  were  in  the 
Confederate  Army.  He  is  now  in  good  'health,  but  in  his 
90th  year.     Has  been  an  active  magistrate  until  recently; 


MR.   BRAWLEY  GATES. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  177 

has  always  been  an  active  supporter  of  good  g-overnment, 
of  both  church  and  schools. 

Samuel  A.  Garrison,  his  brothr,  has  led  a  peaceful  life, 
raised  an  excellent  family,  and  has  always  patronized  the 
best  schools,  and,  like  all  the  family,  helped  build  up  the 
interests  of  the  county.  He  was  twice  married,  both  times 
to  a  Hunter,  and  raised  eleven  children,  all  good  citizens. 
He  is  now  in  'his  84th  year. 

W.  G.  Garrison  also  is  still  living,  in  the  82nd  year,  hale 
and  hearty.     He  has  four  children  living,  all  useful  citizens. 

David  B.  Garrison,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  lost  his  leg 
in  Virginia,  where  so  many  were  killed  and  wounded  con- 
tending for  our  rights.  Has  three  children  now  living,  and 
do  much  to  make  his  last  years  pleasant.  The  Garrisons 
were  good  people,  very  much  like  the  descendants  of  the 
early  settlers  of  the  county.  Mecklenburg  county  was  for- 
tunate indeed  in  the  class  of  her  early  pioneers. 

BRAWEEY  GATES. 

Mr.  Oates  was  a  native  of  Cleveland  county,  was  the  son 
of  good  people,  but  not  embarrassed  with  wealth.  He  prob- 
ably came  to  Mecklenburg  about  1830  or  1832. 

In  1836  Mr.  Oates  was  elected  clerk  of  the  County  Court 
and  served  continuously  till  1842.  Charles  T.  Alexander 
succeeded  him  for  the  place  till  1845,  when  Mr.  Oates  won 
the  position  back  again  and  held  the  office  till  1854.  His 
health  had  now  become  very  feeble  from  a  pulmonary  effec- 
tion,  which  rendered  him^  unable  to  attend  to  the  duties  of 
the  office.  He  moved  to  Florida  and  the  climate  agreeing 
with  his  weak  lungs  so  well,  that  he  attended  to  his  farm 
for  eighteen  years,  enjoying  a  pretty  fair  state  of  health. 
Mr.  Oates  was  a  native  of  Cleveland  county;  he  moved  to 
Charlotte  while  quite  a  young  man.  He  courted  and  won 
Miss  Lilly  Lowrie,  a  daughter  of  Judge  Lowrie.  A  farm- 
er's son  of  Cleveland  county  won  a  bride  from  one  of  the 
most  aristocratic  families  of  Mecklenburg.     This  was  be- 


178  HISTORY    OF 

fore  the  advent  of  railroads,  and  Mr.  Oates  wanted  to  take 
bis  wife  over  to  Cleveland  county  to  visit  his  people.  They 
were  traveling-  in  a  gig,  and  just  beyond  the  Catawba  river 
at  Beattie's  Ford,  their  gig  gave  way  and  Mr.  Oates  had  to 
go  to  a  house  close  by  for  assistance.  During  his  absence, 
a  party  of  her  acquaintances  returning  from  Catawba 
Springs,  were  astonished  to  meet  Miss  Lilly  alone  in  the  big 
road,  and  asked  what  it  meant.  She  replied  that  "she  had 
married  Brawley  last  evening,  and  was  just  going  up  to  see 
old  Oates  and  family."  They  had  a  jolly  time  on  the  high- 
way. 

They  had  two  daughters  and  one  son.  Margaret  mar- 
ried' Mr.  Charles  E.  Spratt,  a  courtly  gentleman  who  is 
spending  the  evening  of  his  days  with  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
VanLandingham,  in  the  city.  It  is  said  that  he  and  his  wife 
were  the  most  handsome  couple  that  ever  lived  in  Charlotte. 
Mrs.  Mary  Eliza  Agnew  moved  to  Florida  and  soon  passed 
away.  The  son,  Dr.  David  Oates,  served  throug'h  the  war 
of  1 86 1 -'65,  and  moved  to  Alabama,  where  he  lives  in  single 
blessedness. 

DR.    DAVID    R.    DUNLAP. 

Rev.  Alexander  Craighead  had  one  daughter,  Rachel, 
who  married  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  of  Guilford  county, 
and  one  daughter,  Jane,  who  married  Mr.  Dunlap,  who 
lived  in  Anson  county,  who  were  the  parents  of  Dr.  David 
R.  Dunlap,  of  Charlotte,  N.  C.  He  came  to  Mecklen- 
burg in  the  first  years  of  the  Nineteenth  century.  He  was 
armed  and  equipped  for  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
made  quite  a  reputation;  was  often  called  in  consultation 
with  the  celebrated  Dr.  Charles  Harris,  of  Cabarrus  county, 
whose  fame  as  a  surgeon  was  co-extensive  with  State.  Dr. 
Dunlap  was  at  one  time  called  to  see  a  patient  down  in  Clear 
Creek.  When  he  got  there  he  was  informed  Dr.  Harris 
had  been  to  see  him  a  few  days  previous,  and  tapped  the 
patient  for  dropsy,  and  inserted  a  goose  quill,  roughened  at 


DR.  DAVID  R.   DUNLAP. 


MECKI.ENBURG   COUNTY.  179 

both  ends,  so  it  would  noit  slip  in  or  out.  The  man  was 
evidently  not  good  pay.  He  practiced  medicine  for  a 
long  time,  probably  forty  years;  he  retired  before  1850.  He 
was  clerk  and  master  of  the  Court  of  Equity  for  a  great 
many  years.  His  daughter  and  his  nephew,  S.  J.  Lowrie, 
did  all  of  his  writing  for  fifteen  years  before  bis  death, 
which  occurred  in  1865.  He  was  very  efficient  in  his  office, 
keeping  all  his  papers  in  the  best  of  order.  He  was  three 
times  married.  First  he  married  a  Jenkins  from  Anson 
county,  and  she  lived  but  a  short  time,  had  one  son  amd 
died.  The  doctor  in  the  goodness  of  his  heart,  took  for  his 
second  wife  a  sister  of  his  first.  This  being  contrary  to  the 
rules  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  that  time,  the}^  cast  him 
out.  He  then  joined  the  Methodist  Church,  and  became 
the  pioneer  leader  of  Methodism  in  Mecklenburg  county. 
He  engaged  in  a  correspondence  with  his  former  friends 
and  kinsfolk,  who  were  Presbyterians,  that  was  not  com- 
mendable on  either  side.  About  this  time  Dr.  D.  T.  Cald- 
well had  a  son  to  die.  He  and  Dr.  Dunlap  haid  not  been  on 
speaking  terms  for  years,  and  Dr.  Dunlap  came  to  visit  him 
in  his  affliction.  Dr.  Caldwell  met  him  at  the  door,  both 
shed  tears  of  reconciliation,  forgot  the  past,  and  were  the 
best  of  friends  in  all  their  future  life. 

Dr.  Dunlap  having  lost  his  second  wife,  turned  his  at- 
tention to  a  daughter  of  Judge  Lowrie,  Miss  Polly,  and 
was  accepted.  Together  they  entertained  their  host  of 
friends,  watched  after  the  interests  of  their  church;  their 
house  was  the  stopping  place  for  all  the  ministers  in  passing 
to  and'  from  their  conferences.  In  that  day  the  Methodist 
church  was  emphatically  nursed  on  horseback ;  and  it  is  also 
remembered  that  if  their  ministers  were  not  well  paid,  they 
were  well  fed,  and  their  horse  was  well  cared  for.  It  was 
a  common  saying  fifty  or  seventy  years  ago,  "As  fat  as  a 
Methodist  preacher's  horse,"  when  talking  of  animals  in  fine 
condition. 

The  last  Mrs.  Dunlap  had  but  one  child,  a  daughter.  She 
grew  up  to  be  a  very  handsome  woman,  and  what  is  better, 


l8o  HISTORY    OF 

of  brilliant  intellect.  She,  like  father,  was  devotedly  at- 
tached to  the  Methodist  church.  She  married  Dr.  Edmund 
Jones,  of  Morganto^n,  but  he  did  not  live  long,  and  she  re- 
turned to  her  father's  house.  She  continaied  with  her 
father  till  1858,  when  she  contracted  a  second  marriage 
with  Col.  T.  H.  Brem,  a  most  excellent  gentleman  and  large 
merchant  of  the  city.  Dr.  Dimlap  went  to  live  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Brem,  where  he  spent  the  evening  of  his 
days.  He  died  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age  in  1865,  honored 
and  loved  by  all  the  town  and  many  hundreds  in  the  county. 
His  daughter  soon  foliowed,  and  his  son,  Hamilton,  who 
lived  in  Alabama,  have  joined  him  in  the  spirit  land.  Meck- 
lenburg has  never  had  a  better  citizen  than  Dr.  David  R. 
Dunlap;  nor  one  who  contributed  more  by  precept  and  ex- 
ample, to  teach  morality  and  a  pure  Christianity.  A  cheer- 
ful disposition  was  as  ever  present  with  him,  as  his  shadow 
when  the  sun  was  shining.  After  having  practiced  medi- 
cine foT  a  great  many  years,  passed  safely  through  many  epi- 
demics, he  was  attacked  with  ordinary  whooping  cough 
when  70  years  old.  He  is  said  to  have  whooped  as  clear  as 
a  child  of  ten.  It  is  strange  that  he  was  always  proof 
against  the  disease  when  often  exposed  to  it,  and  yielded  to 
its  attacking  power  when  he  thought  he  was  immune.  But 
it  left  no  bad  effects  behind. 

REV.   W^.  W.  PHARR,  D.  D. 

It  might  be  said  with  propriety  that  he  was  a  native  of 
this  county.  He  was  born  in  Cabarrus  county,  an  off-shoot 
of  Mecklenburg,  in  the  year.  181 3,  and  died  in  1886.  He 
received  the  most  of  his  early  education  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, but  graduated  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina. 
He  early  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  labored  faithfully  for  the  Master  during  a  long  life. 
He  was  gladly  received  wherever  he  went,  both  in  the 
churches  and  private  families.  He  did  not  preach  secta- 
rianism, but  the  Gospel  of  Christ.     He  was  particularly 


1 


DR.   W.   W.   PHARR. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  l8l 

loved  by  the  po-or;  he  sympathized  with  them  in  all  their 
anxieties,  distresses  and  fears;  his  visits  to  their  houses  in 
sickness  always  brought  sunshine  and  brushed  their  tears 
away.  He  was  equally  as  welcome  at  a  marriage,  jovial  and 
gay  with  innocent  amusement,  he  enjoyed  the  hilarious  as- 
semblage of  young  persons.  He  was  a  great  advocate  of 
good  schools,  and  worked  for  their  success.  It  has  been 
said  that  preachers,  as  a  general  rule,  were  fine  students, 
but  not  practical  in  the  affairs  of  life.  Not  so  with  Dr. 
Pharr.  Davidson  College  owes  much  of  its  pro'Sperity  to 
the  guiding  hand  of  this  benevolent  minister  while  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  He  served  several  churches 
at  different  times  in  his  life,  and  always  acceptably.  In  his 
early  life  he  was  pastor  of  Bethpage,  and  then  of  Poplar 
Tent,  for  several  years  at  Statesville.  Then  called  by  Pres- 
bytery to  heal  a  breach  in  Ramah,  which  was  of  political 
origin  in  reconstruction  days.  Probably  no  other  man 
could  have  smoothed  the  fires  of  discord  that  had  com- 
menced in  Ramah.     "Blessed  are  the  peacemakers." 

Dr.  Pharr  was  blessed  not  only  in  his  labors  in  the  church, 
as  hundreds  now  living  in  the  bounds  of  Mallard  Creek 
church  would  gladly  testify,  but  he  was  blest  in  his  family. 
His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of  John  R.  Alexander,  one  of 
the  best  women  in  the  world,  who  left  three  children  who 
are  an  ornament  to  society  and  valuable  to  the  county.  The 
last  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Gen.  W.  H.  Neal,  who  was  a 
very  prominent  man  in  the  affairs  of  the  county,  as  well  as 
the  church. 

Both  sons  and  daughters,  four  in  all,  are  among  our  best 
people,  and  take  a  good  stand  in  both  church  and  State.  His 
widow,  in  feeble  health,  is  blessed  by  her  children  and 
friends.  Rev.  Dr.  Pharr  was  eminently  fitted  for  the  times 
in  which  he  lived.  He  spoke  extemporaneously,  and  looked 
earnestly  in  the  faces  of  his  hearers  and  always  quit  before 
his  audience  became  weary.  He  made  it  a  rule  to  shake 
hands,  if  possible,  with  ever\'  one  at  his  church  every  Sun- 
day.    In  this  way  he  could  know  the  health  of  his  congrega- 


1 82  HISTORY    OF 

tion.  In  his  day  the  people  had  two  services  each  day,  and 
a  bountifi:!  rej^ast  spread  in  a  g^oo'd  sha^de.  To  this  dinner 
eacli  motlier  expected  Mr.  Pharr  to  dine  with  them,  so  as  not 
to  be  partial  he  would  make  the  circuit  of  all  the  spreads.  He 
was  a  man  for  the  t^'mes,  and  was  well  known  in  the  county. 
His  remains  rest  in  Mallard  Creek  burying'  ground,  close  by 
the  remains  of  his  kinsman,  Rev.  Walter  Smiley  Pharr,  who 
was  his  predecessor  at  both  Ramah  and  Mallard  Creek.  The 
people  were  devoted  to  the  name  of  Pharr.  Some  fifty  years 
ag'o  when  Rev.  W.  S.  Pharr  was  the  pastor,  he  invited  his 
son,  Rev.  S.  C.  Pharr,  D.  D.,  who  was  a  very  talented  man 
and  given  to  using  much  poetry  in  his  sermons,  to  assist  him 
with  the  communion  then  approaching;  as  was  the  custom 
then  to  hold  service  out  oi  doors,  the  young  man  arose  in 
the  stand  to  preach  the  morning  sermon,  and  as  he  gave  out 
his  text,  the  old  man  who  was  sitting  behind  him,  pulled  his 
coat  tail,  intimating  that  he  wanted  to  speak  to  him.  He  at 
once  turned  around  when  his  father  said  to  him:  "Now 
Samuel,  my  son,  we  must  have  no  rhyming  to-day."  It 
was  too  solemn  an  occasion  for  poetry  to  be  allowed  a  place 
in  the  wo'uderful  display  of  God's  love. 

DR.    W.   A.    ARDREY. 

Dr.  William  A.  Ardrey  was  born  in  York  District,  South 
Caroilina,  on  the  19th  day  oif  April,  1798.  His  parents, 
William  and  Mary  Ardrey,  sailed  for  America  upon  the 
first  vessel  leaving  the  shores  of  old  Ireland  after  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  was  proclaimed  at  Philadelphia  by 
Great  Britain's  erstwhile  colonies. 

The  vessel  landed  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and  this 
young  couple  made  their  way  to  the  up-country  of  South 
Carolina,  and  settled  in  York  county,  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  present  town  of  Yorkville.  There  they  erected  the 
frontierman's  cabin  and  with  brave  hearts  for  the  hardships 
of  the  present  and  bright  hopes  in  the  fortunes  oif  the  future, 
they  established  their  home  and  cast  their  lot  with  the  new 


DR.  WM.  ARDREY. 


meckIve;nburg  county.  183, 

republic.  To  them  were  born  six  sons  and  daughters. 
William  A.  Ardrey,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the 
yoimgest  son.  His  mothei-  died  in  his  infanicy  and  he  was 
reared  by  an  elder  sister — Miriam,  whose  training  may 
have  developed  in  her  ward  a  sturdiness  of  character  that 
the  mother's  tenderness  may  not. 

With  strong  intellectual  inheritance  and  with  lofty  and 
manly  aspirations,  he  obtained  a  classical  education  against 
all  the  hindrances  and  difficulties  of  the  times.  After  com- 
pleting his  academic  course,  he  entered  upon  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  when  he  had  finished  his  lectiires  and  received 
his  medical  degree,  he  located  for  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion on  the  border  line  between  the  coumties  of  Mecklen- 
burg and  Ivancaster,  in  the  States  of  North  and  South 
Carolina,  respectively,  his  home  being  on  the  North  Caro- 
lina side. 

He  married  Mrs.  Lydia  L.  Cureton,  who  was  a  daughter 
of  Capt.  John  Potts,  of  Mecklenburg  county,  and  a  grand- 
daughter of  Mrs.  Gen.  Graham. 

With  clear  head,  sound  judgment  and  genial  maimers,  he 
practiced  medicine  for  many  years,  over  an  area  of  twenty 
miles,  embracing  portions  of  Union  and  Mecklenburg  coun- 
ties in  North  Carolina,  and  York  and  Lancaster,  in  South 
Carolina. 

With  a  high  appreciation  of  the  usefulness  and  dignity 
of  his  profession,  he  gave  medical  education  and  opportu- 
nity to  quite  a  number  of  desei-ving  young  men. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Ardrey  was  an  old  line  Whig.  Having 
attended  a  Kentucky  University  in  the  zenith  of  the  fame  of 
Henry  Clay,  he  imbibed  and  assimilated  much  of  the  tenets 
and  doctrines  of  that  brilliant  statesman,  and  continued  in 
that  faith  as  long  as  there  was  a  Whig  candidate  to  espouse 
or  a  Whig  ticket  to  vote.  Although  his  party  was  in  a 
hopeless  minority  in  Mecklenburg  county  and  there  was  no 
chance  to  win,  yet,  feeling  that  its  principles  were  to  be 
ccamted  above  success,   he  was  several  times  induced  to 


184  HISTORY    OF 

make  the  race,  as  the  Whig  nominee,  for  the  State  Legisla- 
ture. 

He  was  a  zealous  patriot,  and  was  generally  the  master 
of  ceremonies,  or  a  favorite  speal<er,  at  all  the  Fourth  of 
July  or  like  celebrations  and  demonstrations  in  lower  Meck- 
lenbtirg. 

He  was  a  man  keenly  alive  to  everything  that  indicated 
progress  and  advancement  in  the  life  of  his  countr}^  He 
was  especially  active  in  the  agitation  in  behalf  of  railroads, 
and  with  Judge  Osborne  and  other  prominent  men  of  the 
county  canvassed  the  county  in  the  interest  of  its  first  rail- 
road running  from  Columbia  to  Charlotte,  and  the  first 
railroad  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

He  had  been  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church,  but  in  the  mature  and  ripened 
convictions  of  later  years,  he  joined  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  helped  to  build  and  establish  Harrison  church,  in  lower 
Providence  township,  near  the  South  Carolina  line,  which 
is  perhaps,  the  oldest  Methodist  church  in  Mecklenburg 
county.  He  served  his  church  with  all  that  earnestness  and 
faithfulness  that  he  had  devoted  to  sufifering  humanity  in 
his  profession.  He  accepted  and  adorned  all  the  lay  offices 
within  her  o^ift.  Until  disabled  by  physical  affliction,  he 
dedicated  to  her  cause,  without  stint  and  with  a  Whole  heart, 
his  time,  his  talents  and  his  means.  For  many  years  he 
maintained  on  his  plantation  a  Sunday  School  for  the  syste- 
matic teaching  of  the  Scriptures  to  his  slaves,  towards  whom 
he  was,  at  all  times,  a  kind  and  merciful  master. 

It  was  the  home  and  social  and  Christian  life  of  this  busy 
physician  that  marked  in  him  the  highest  consummation  of 
the  virtues  of  a  true  gentleman. 

He  died  in  the  year  1861,  leaving  seven  children  who, 
true  to  the  teachings  of  their  worthy  sire,  have  borne  well 
their  part  in  all  the  calls  of  the  highest  citizenship,  both  in 
Church  and  State. 

Captain  James  P.  Ardrey  gave  up  his  life  upon  the  bat- 
tlefields of  Virginia.     His  other  sons  are  Captain  W.  E. 


MECKIvENBURG   COUNTY.  185 

Ardrey,  of  Providence  township;  Mr.  J.  W.  Ardrey,  of 
Fort  Mill,  S.  C,  and  the  late  Dr.  J.  A.  Ardrey,  of  Pine- 
ville. 

His  surviving  daughters  are  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Bell,  widow  of 
the  late  Robt.  C.  Bell,  oi  Providence  township;  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet R.  Potts,  widow  of  Captain  J.  G.  Potts,  and  Mrs.  S. 
H.  Elliott,  all  of  Mecklenburg  county. 

DR.   CHARLES  HARRIS. 

When  we  come  by  Poplar  Tent,  one  of  the  original  seven 
churches  that  were  first  organized  in  this  part  of  North  Car- 
olina, and  formerly  in  Mecklenburg  county,  we  pass  the 
place  of  Dr.  Charles  Harris,  who  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary war.  He  lived  for  many  years  after  Independ- 
ence was  gained,  to  heal  the  sick,  and  perform  the  surgery 
that  was  needed  in  a  radius  of  more  than  one  hundred  miles. 
He  was  offered  the  chair  of  Surgery  in  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  but  declined  the  flattering  offer  to  render  his 
services  to  neig^hbors  and  friends  with  whom  he  worked  to 
build  up  the  civilization  at  home,  where  his  labors  were  ap- 
preciated. His  manners  were  rough,  like  the  times  in  which 
he  lived.  An  anecdote  or  two  will  show  him^  as  to  his  ac- 
tions better  than  words. 

He  attended  Mrs.  Alcorn,  a  very  poor  Irish  widow,  for  a 
bad  case  of  white  swelling.  A  few  months  after  she  got 
well,  the  doctor  was  passing  'her  house  when  she  ran  out 
calling,  "Doctor,  stop  a  minute."  "What  do  you  want?"  he 
enquired.  "I  want  to  give  you  this  web  of  cloth  for  attending 
me."  The  doctor  replied  ;  "Take  that  cloth  and  clothe  your 
ragged  children.  I  am  going  to  Hugh  Torrance's  and  Rob- 
bin  Davidson's,  and  I  will  make  them  pay  your  bill." 

He  was  sent  for  to  go  to  Morganton  to  see  a  young  lady 
who  had  dislocation  of  her  jaw.  The  family  thought  she  had 
lockjaw  and  was  dying.  Dr.  Harris  wrapped  his  thumbs 
with  her  handkerchief  and  told  her,  "Damn  you,  don't  you 
bite  me!"     She  was  instantly  relieved. 


1 86  HI.STORY    OF 

The  descendants  of  Dr.  Harris  were  prominent  charac- 
ters in  Cabarrus  county  (cut  off  of  Mecklenburg  several 
years  after  the  Revolutionary  war),  were  among-  the  best 
educated  people  in  the  State,  and  were  worthy  citizens. 

His  son,  William  Shakespeare  Harris,  was  one  of  the  spe- 
cial escort  who  met  Gen.  LaFayette  at  the  Virginia  line, 
and  escorted  him  through  the  State  in  1824.  His  posterity 
were  as  true  to  the  Southern  cause  in  1 861 -'65  as  their 
forefathers  were  patriotic  in  i775-'8i.  In  the  same  section 
were  grown  up  the  "Black  Boys,"  who  intercepted  a  load  of 
gun  powder  between  Charlotte  and  Salisbury,  IdIcw  up  the 
powder,  and  escaped.  This  was  in  1777.  This  whole 
country  was  ripe  for  revolution.  In  Poplar  Tent  church- 
yard is  the  grave  of  Rev.  Hezekiah  J.  Balch,  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel,  who  was  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence of  JMay  20,  1775.  He,  with  many  others,  had 
listened  to  and  accepted,  the  teachings  of  Mr.  Craighead. 
Here  also  lived,  labored  and  died  Rev.  John  Robbinson,  D. 
D.,  whose  kindred  and  descendants  occupy  this  section,  and 
have  always  maintained  a  high  standard  of  piety  and  good 
citizenship.  The  family  of  Flyns,  who  occupied  such  posi- 
tion in  both  Church  and  State  one  hundred  years  ago,  are 
no  longer  residents  of  our  coimty.  Only  the  graves  of  the 
older  set  alone,  are  here  to  remind  us  that  such  people  lived 
once  in  the  county ;  and  their  history  not  having  been  writ- 
ten, it  is  unknown  to  the  generation  now  extant. 

SKETCH  OF  GEN.  D.  H.  HILL TAKEN  FROM  ''THE  NEWS." 

The  Confederate  soldiers  all  over  the  State  will  bow  their 
heads  in  grief  over  the  announcement  that  Lieut.  Gen.  D. 
H.  Hill  is  no  more.  He  died  in  this  city  at  4:30  Tuesday 
afternoon,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age. 

Gen,  Hill  was  followed  through  the  war  mainly  by  North 
Carolinians;  hundreds  who  stood  with  him  where  shot  and 
shell  flew  thickest,  live  in  Charlotte.  Gen.  Hill  led  our  peo- 
ple in  war  and  lived  with  them  in  peace,  and  all  that  per- 


GEN.  D.  H.  HILL. 


MKCKLKNBURG    COUNTY.  iS/ 

tains  to  the  history  of  the  dead  warrio^r  will  1j€  read  with 
mo'urniful  interest.  Gen.  Hill's  life  was  an  eventful  one. 
He  was  born  in  York  comity,  S.  C,  in  1821,  and  graduated 
from  West  Point  when  only  20  years  old.  He  served  in 
the  war  with  Mexico',  and  was  successfully  brevetted  as  Cap- 
tain and  Major  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  at  Con- 
treras  and  Chapultepec,  and  received  atChuriebusco  a  sword 
of  honor  from  his  native  State.  He  resigned  his  commis- 
sion in  1849,  ^^'^'^  became  successively  processor  in  Washing- 
ton College,  Va.,  (1849  to  1854)  and  in  Davidson  Col- 
lege, N.  C.  He  was  professor  in  Davidson  College  in 
1854  and  1859,  and  then  took  the  superintendency  of  the 
North  Carolina  Military  Institute,  which  poisitioni  he  'held 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  States. 

Gen.  Hill  was  among  the  first  to  enter  the  field  of  war, 
and  his  career  as  a  Confederate  soldier  is  preserved  "in 
records  that  defy  the  tooth  of  time."  He  took  a  prominent 
part  in  the  battle  of  Big  Bethel,  and  led  successfully  in  the 
following  engagements :  Williamsburg,  Va.,  Seven  Pines  or 
Fair  Oaks,  Mechanicsville,  Gaines'  Mill,  Cold  Harbor, 
Malvern  Hill,  South  Mountain,  or  Boonsboro',  Sharpsburg 
and  Fredericksburg.  After  this  latter  battle,  General 
Plill  was  transferred  to  the  seat  of  war  in  the  West.  His 
reputation  was  gained  in  the  battle  of  South  Mountain.  He 
held  the  mountain  pass  at  Boonsboroi  against  the  Whole  of 
McClellan's  army  from  early  dawn  until  the  afternoon,  when 
Longstreet  and  Hood  came  to  his  relief.  The  fighting  at 
this  point  was  terrific. 

When  all  was  lost  to  the  Confederacy,  Gen.  Hill  returned 
to  Charlotte  to  help  our  people  build  up  their  broken  for- 
tunes. He  was  known  for  years  after  the  war  as  "the  un- 
reconstructed." Here  he  published  a  magazine  entitled 
"T'he  Land  We  Love,"  volumes  of  which  are  tenderly  pre- 
served in  Southern  homes.  Gen.  Hill's  best  work  while  in 
Charlotte  was  done  on  his  weekly  paper.  The  Southern 
Home.  He  was  a  writer  of  great  vigor  and  the  Home  was 
a  power  in  the  land.     Gen.  Hill  left  Charlotte  in  1876  to 


1 6b  HISTORY    OF 

accept  the  presidency  of  the  University  of  Arkansas.  He 
filled  that  position  until  1885,  and  in  1887  'he  was  elected 
president  of  the  State  Ag-ricultural  College  at  Milledge- 
ville,  Ga.  A  few  months  ago,  feeling  his  health  declining, 
he  came  to  North  Carolina  in  the  hope  oi  recuperating.  He 
continued  to  decline,  however,  and  in  a  few  weeks  sent  his 
resignation  to  the  trustees  of  the  college  at  Milledgeville. 
The  resignation  was  accepted  only  after  it  had  been  tendered 
emphatically  the  second  time.  Gen.  Hill's  last  days  were 
peaceful  and  quiet,  and  his  death  was  that  of  a  Christian, 
resigned,  hopeful,  confident  in  winning  the  last  great  vic- 
toiy  over  death. 

Gen.  Hill  was  a  brother-in-law  to  Stonewall  Jackson.  He 
•was  married  to  Miss  Isabella  Morrison,  oldest  daughter  of 
the  late  Dr.  R.  H.  Morrison,  in  November,  1848.  Mrs. 
Gen.  Hill  and  several  children  are  still  living.  Gen.  Hill's 
body  was  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  at  Davidson  College, 
where  four  of  his  children  were  buried. 

BREM,    JOHNSTON    AND   AI^EXANDER. 

This  trio  of  business  men  at  one  time  or  another  merchan- 
dised in  Charlotte,  and  at  various  times  were  partners.  Col. 
T.  H.  Brem  was  raised  near  Beattie's  Ford,  working  in  his 
father's  store.  When  a  young  man  'he  moved  to  town,  and 
formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  S.  P.  Alexander.  They 
kept  a  general  assortment  store  for  a  number  oi  years.  They 
were  very  prosperous.  In  1851  the  epidemic  of  smallpox 
was  of  such  an  alarming  character  as  to  drive  everybody 
from  town.  Brem  &  Alexander  moved  their  store  up  on 
the  Statesville  road  to  Col.  B.  W.  Alexander's,  nine  miles 
from  Charlotte.  The  disease  lasted  six  or  eight  months, 
wlien  they  moved  back  to  town.  At  this  time  they  made  a 
trade  with  Mr.  J.  R.  Alexander  for  his  son  T.  Lafayette  Al- 
exander, for  three  years,  agreeing  to  pay  him  fifty  dollars 
and  his  board  for  the  first  year,  one  hundred  for  the  second, 
and  one  hundred  and  fiftv  for  the  third.     After  the  first 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  1 89 

mdnth,  Mr.  Brem  was  anxious  to  cancel  the  trade;  said  he 
could  not  teach  him ;  but  when  he  was  forced  to  keep  him, 
Lafayette  learned  so  fast  and  took  so  much  interest  in  the 
store,  that  Brem  &  Alexander  said  that  they  found  a  treasure 
in  their  clerk.  When  the  three  years  were  out,  they  raised 
his  salary  to  five  hundred  dollars,  and  soon  took  him  in  as  a 
partner,  w'hich  positiom  he  held  until  the  war  pushed  all  her 
men  to  the  field.  Cok  Wm.  Jo^hnston  took  Mr.  S.  P.  Alex- 
ander's place  in  the  early  fifties.  But  his  time  was  taken  up 
so  entirely  with  the  C.  &  C.  R.  R.,  that  he  withdrew  from  the 
store.  Col.  Wm.  Johnston  made  one  of  the  finest  railroad 
managers  during  the  war  that  was  in  the  Confederacy. 
Col.  T.  H.  Brem  got  up  an  artillery  company,  with  six  can- 
non, well  equipped  with  both  men  and  horses.  The  county 
was  proud  of  her  artillery  company. 

Mr.  S.  P.  Alexander,  after  withdrawing  from  his  part- 
ners in  the  dry  goods  business,  confined  himself  to  the  busi- 
ness of  dealing  in  securities.  At  this  he  was  very  success- 
ful, accumulating  a  large  fortune.  He  was  never  married; 
he  was  a  liberal  subscriber  to  all  church  work  during  his 
life  time;  was  very  liberal  in  his  contributions  to  Sharon 
church ;  gave  largely  tO'  build  the  fine  temple  the  people  now 
worship  in.  In  his  recent  bequests  he  remembered  his 
church,  and  many  oi  his  kindred.  He  was  a  grand-soo  of 
Hezekiah  Alexander,  one  of  the  famous  signers  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence.  He  loved  his  church  and  his  kin- 
folks.  He  always  went  to  bed  at  9  o'clock,  no  matter  how 
entertaining  a  party  he  may  be  associated  with.  Regular 
hours  was  part  of  his  religion.  He  lived  tO'  be  an  old  man; 
he  was  respected  by  all  who  knew  him ;  he  made  confidants 
of  but  few,  but  was  a  fast  friend  of  those  whom  he  thought 
worthy  of  friendship.  He  died  at  the  end  of  the  Nineteenth 
century.    He  lived  in  the  best  period  of  the  world's  history. 

Mr.  T.  Lafayette  Alexander,  another  of  the  firm,  was  a 
descendant  of  a  signer,  J.  McKnitt  Alexander,  a  brother  of 
Hezekiah,  passed  away  in  the  year  1897.  He,  too,  accu- 
mulated a  handsome  competence  to  leave  his  children  and 


190  HISTORY    OF 

did  many  good  deeds  that  his  neighbors  knew  naught  of. 
He  was  a  son  of  John  R.  Alexander,  one  of  the  most  ener- 
getic men  the  county  ever  produced.  He  was  a  firm  believer 
in  educatiO'n,  and  did  more  to  keep  up  a  first-class  schoo'l  in 
his  section  of  the  county  than  any  other  person.  He  was 
violently  opposed  to  the  war  between  the  States;  appeared 
to  see  the  termination  from  the  beginning.  He  saw  with  a 
prophetic  glance  the  South  crushed,  and  our  people  bank- 
rupt, who  were  not  killed  in  the  war.  Yet,  with  his  feel- 
ings wrought  up  to  a  dangerous  tension,  he  gave  his  three 
sons  to  the  cause  of  the  South.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  his 
worst  forebodings  came  literally  true.  He  was  a  true  patriot, 
accepted  the  terms  of  peace  accorded  us,  never  ceased  to 
blame  the  Democratic  party,  yet  voted  that  ticket,  as  he  said 
there  was  no  place  elsewhere  for  a  white  man  to  go 

The  writer  once  saw  Capt.  Jobn  Walker,  as  he  was  called 
"the  wheelhorse  of  Democracy,"  meet  Mr.  Alexander,  who 
had  been  all  his  life  a  bitter  Whig,  and  said  to*  him,  "I  never 
expected  to  see  the  day  when  you  and  I  would  vote  the  same 
ticket."  Mr.  Alexander  replied,  "No,  and  I'll  be  danged  if 
I  would  do  it  now  if  I  could  help  myself." 

DR.  J.  p.  m'combs. 

The  name  of  Dr.  Parks  McCombs  has  been  a  household 
word  for  the  last  thirty-five  years.  A  student  of  Dr.  P.  C. 
Caldwell,  the  people  took  him  up  to  fill  the  vacancy  left  by 
his  preceptor.  Dr.  McCombs  came  on  the  stage  of  life's 
drama  just  in  the  nick  of  time  to  meet  a  great  responsibility. 
The  war  between  the  States  was  just  ushered  in,  and  none 
were  more  ardent  in  espousing  the  cause  of  the  South,  or 
better  armed  and  equipped  for  performing  his  duty  than 
]^r.  McCombs.  When  the  war  was  over,  and  all  of  our 
property  destroyed,  no  money  in  circulation  in  the  S'outh, 
we  scarcely  knew  which  way  to  turn;  it  was  even  difficult  to 
obtain  breadstuffs,  Dr.  McCombs,  like  the  patriot  he  was, 
attended  the  poor  people  without  the  hope  of  reward.     Our 


DR.  ROBERT  GIBBON. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  IQI 

feople  were  blessed  with  rich  harvests,  and  soon  we  were 
on  our  feet  again.  He  did  a  large  and  lucrative  practice  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1902.  He  wlas  a  fine  surgeon, 
and  was  often  called  to  the  country,  ten  to  twenty  miles,  to 
perform  a  capital  or  difficult  operation.  Dr.  McCombs  was 
firmly  oi  the  opinion  that  Mecklenburg  county  "was  the 
land  of  gold."  He  opened  several  mines,  bought  and  sold 
for  a  pastime.  If  he  had  not  been  wedded  to  his  profes- 
sion, he  would  have  been  an  expert  miner.  During  the  war 
with  Spain  he  went  over  to  Cuba  to  visit  the  troops  from 
Mecklenburg  and  other  places.  Although  his  health  was 
then  feeble,  his  attachment  for  the  military  service  was 
strong.  From  causes  unknown  to  any  one,  he  put  off 
taking  a  partner  until  the  last  year  of  his  life.  He  married 
a  Miss  Guion,  a  grand-daughter  of  his  old  preceptor,  Dr. 
P.  C.  Caldwell,  who  was  a  trained  nurse;  and  well  did  she 
fill  the  place  while  her  husband  lingered  on  the  border  land. 

DR.  ROBERT  GIBBON. 

The  eminent  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia in  the  year  1823.  He  was  educated  in  Tennessee  and 
graduated  at  Yale,  and  studied  medicine  at  the  Jefferson 
College  of  Pennsylvania,  graduated  in  1846.  He  practiced 
medicine  in  Charlotte  about  the  middle  of  the  Nineteenth 
century,  and  had  for  his  confreres  Drs.  D.  T.  Caldwell,  P.  C. 
Caldwell,  J.  M.  Happoidt,  Mcllwain,  J.  M.  Miller,  C.  J. 
Fox,  and  others.  When  the  great  Civil  War  came  on,  Dr. 
Gibbon  was  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services  to  the  Con- 
federacy as  a  surgeon.  He  was  assigned  to  duty  with  the 
Twenty-eighth  North  Carolina  Troops,  and  stationed  at 
^A^ilmington.  In  March,  1862,  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  Kinston  to  report  to  Gen.  L.  O'B.  Branch,  immediately 
alter  the  battle  at  New  Bern,  He  then  became  senior  sur- 
geon of  the  brigade.  It  was  a  common  saying  in  this 
brigade  and  in  this  division,  that  Dr.  Gibbon  was  one  of  the 
finest  operators  in  the  army.     He  served  through  the  war 


192  HISTORY    OF 

with  Capt.  Nick  Gibbon  as  commissary  of  his  regiment; 
and  his  brother  John,  a  Major-General  in  the  Federal  army. 
They  were  frequently  engaged  in  the  same  battle,  but  nev^r 
met  while  the  war  lasted.  When  peace  was  declared,  he 
resumed  his  practice  in  Charlotte  with  all  of  his  former 
energy  and  usefulness.  He  married  soon  after  the  war  Miss 
Mary  Rodgers,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  was  blessed  with 
sons  Robert  and  John,  who  grew  up  to  follow  in  their  fath- 
er's footsteps — they  both  studied  medicine  and  both  have 
made  for  themselves  an  enviable  reputation  of  fine  sur- 
geons. Dr.  Robert  here  in  Charlotte,  and  Dr.  John  in  Phila- 
delphia. Dr.  Gibbon  was  twice  married;  the  last  was 
Miss  Corina  M.  Harris,  who  survives  him.  He  attained  a 
ripe  old  age,  did  a  vast  amount  of  work  for  suffering  human- 
ity, lived  a  well  spent  life,  but  in  the  evening  of  his  life,  when 
the  shadows  grew  long,  his  health  gave  way,  and  without 
any  suffering  he  gradually  fell  asleep  in  the  year  1900. 

ADAM   TODD  AND   FAMILY. 

The  early  history  of  this  interesting  family  has  become 
somewhat  clouded  in  its  earlier  years.  But  few  families  can 
trace  an  accurate  account  of  their  migrations  in  the  mother 
country,  and  establish  a  correct  account  of  their  meander- 
ings  before  they  built  a  home  in  this  country.  It  is  certain 
that  they  came  here  before  the  Revolutionary  war.  It  is  in 
their  family  history  that  John  Todd  was  born  the  night  that 
Lord  Comwallis  came  to  Charlotte.  This  being  a  night  of 
sore  distress,  the  date  can  hardly  be  forgotten.  Adam  Todd 
had  a  son  Adam  who  was  the  father  of  our  worthy  towns- 
man. Ale  Todd,  who  met  with  so  serious  an  accident  as  to 
lose  both  legs  in  railroad  service.  His  wife  was  a  daughter 
of  Allen  Cruse. 

James  Todd,  who  was  booi  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Eigh- 
teenth century,  married  Enie  Hutchison  and  raised  one  son, 
John,  and  three  daughters ;  but  two  are  now  living.  John 
William  Todd  married  Sarah  McCord.     Lawson  Todd,  son 


MECKIvENBURG   COUNTY.  193 

of  Hugh  Todd,  married  Mary  McGinn.  Cynthia  Todd 
married  Absolum  Holdbrooks.  They  and  their  children 
moved  to  York  county,  South  Carolina.  John  William 
Todd  is  an  elder  in  Paw  Creek  church.  He  is  now  an  old 
man,  has  been  faithful  in  all  things,  is  spoken  well  of  by 
all  his  neighbors.  Harvey  Todd,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Alex- 
ander (the  mother  of  the  druggist,  S.  L.  Alexander),  and 
her  sister,  Mrs.  Cynthia  Alexander,  died  at  8i  years.  Both 
of  his  sons-in-law  died  in  the  service  of  the  Confederacy. 
They  were  a  long-lived  family.  Some  of  the  older  ones 
were  over  loo  years.  They  were  a  quiet,  inoffensive  peo- 
ple, strictly  attending  to  their  own  business.  Did  all  their 
own  work;  could  make  their  own  plows,  harrows  and  do 
their  own  repairing  of  all  kinds,  even  blacksmithing,  shoe- 
making  and  the  women  making  all  the  clothes  the  family 
wore.  They  furnished  a  full  quota  of  true  men  to  the  Con- 
federate army.  Sixteen  men  by  the  name  of  Todd  went 
from  Paw  Creek,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  as 
many  more  whose  mothers  were  Todds,  and  sent  brave  sons 
by  another  name.  Truly  Mecklenburg  feels  proud  to  have 
such  yeomanry  to  defend  the  good  name  of  our  county.  It 
was  fortunate  for  our  coimty  that  our  earliest  immigrants 
were  among  the  best  people  in  the  world ;  and  the  later  gen- 
erations have  given  abundant  proof  that  blood  will  tell. 


'Bhe  Central  Hotel. 

A  half  century  ago,  or  at  somewhat  earlier  date,  a  place 
of  entertainment  was  usually  called  a  tavern,  at  which  place 
the  wants  of  man  and  beast  could  be  satisfied.  Many  men 
tried  at  different  times  to  play  the  part  of  "Boniface,"  but 
very  few  kept  the  position  long  enough  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  traveling  public,  or  make  an  enviable  rep- 
utation among  those  who  traveled  on  horseback.  Hiram 
Sloan,  from  Iredell  county,  was  "mine  host"  in  1844;  but 
the  business  did  not  prove  lucrative,  and  he  turned  his  at- 
tention to  the  farm,  which  he  did  know  how  to  manage,  so 
it  would  be  a  success.  Stokes  Norman  was  induced  to  try 
his  hand  at  "catering  to  the  public,"  but  from  some  cause  un- 
known to  the  writer,  he  only  kept  the  tavern  one  year.  He 
continued  to  reside  in  the  town  and  in  the  county  until  his 
course  was  run.  He  was  a  warm,  genial  friend,  particularly 
to  boys  and  young  men.  He  and  Dr.  P.  C.  Caldwell  were 
close  friends,  and  spent  much  time  together. 

In  1846  Mr.  J.  A.  Sadler  moved  to  Charlotte  and  took 
charge  of  the  tavern.  He  called  it  "Sadler's  Hotel."  He 
was  immensely  popular  and  was  known  far  and  near  as  a 
"prince  of  hotel  keepers."  He  was  a  man  of  most  elegant 
manners,  all  of  his  politeness  was  natural,  merely  indicative 
-of  the  man.  The  hotel  when  he  took  charge  was  an  old 
frame  concern,  but  poorly  constructed  for  the  purpose;  but 
lie  managed  to  keep  a  well-filled  house.  Maj.  Sadler  came 
from  South  Carolina  about  the  year  1844,  and  lived  at  the 
place  of  John  Hanna.h  Orr's.  After  1852  he  quit  the  hotel 
and  retired  to  private  life  till  the  war  came  on  between  the 
States,  and  notwithstanding  he  was  over  age,  he  volunteered 
as  a  staff  officer.  He  was  a  commissary,  and  from  his 
training  in  a  hotel,  it  goes  without  saying  he  made  an  excel- 
lent officer.  In  the  year  185  3-' 54  the  hotel  was  built  and 
furnished  anew,  and  was  run  by  H.  B.  Williams  for  a  short 
time;  then  by  W.  W.  Elms  for  a  while;  then  by  William 
Moore  from  New  Bern,  till  the  storm  of  war  was  over. 


MAJ.  JENNINGS  B.  KERR. 


"Bhe  ChaLrlotte  Hotel. 

The  century  was  young  and  many  of  the  habits  and  cus- 
toms of  that  day  and  time  are  now  obsolete,  but  many  of 
the  old  men  yet  living  remember  the  day  and  the  jovial  face 
cf  the  proprietor,  Maj.  Jennings  B.  Kerr.  He  was  a  nat- 
ural "wag"  and  was  well  suited  to  play  "mine  host."  In 
his  jocular  moods  he  would  tell  how  he  had  outlived  a 
dozen  rivals.  He  owned  his  house,  which  he  called  in  the 
early  time  "The  Carolina  Inn."  His  house  was  well  pat- 
ronized, was  very  popular  with  the  county  people.  Persons 
who  were  in  the  habit  of  partaking  of  his  board  could  tell 
what  he  was  going  to  have  for  dinner  a  week  in  the  future. 
A  favorite  dish  that  he  never  failed  to  have  for  dirmer  was 
"chicken  pie,"  cooked  in  a  large,  yellow  queensware  dish. 
Everything  was  clean  and  neat  about  his  table,  and  good 
behavior  in  the  dining  room  he  would  have  or  eject  the  dis- 
turber of  the  peace.  He  raised  a  most  worthy  family,  two 
sons,  the  elder  was  a  lawyer — he  volunteered  in  the  Seventh 
Regiment,  North  Carolina  Troops.  Capt.  Wm.  Kerr,  he 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  battles  around  Richmond  in 
1862.  He  was  killed  at  Chancellorsville  May  3,  1863, 
where  Mecklenburg  lost  many  brave  men.  He  had  another 
son.  Rev.  David  Kerr,  preached  in  Arkansas,  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
died  when  quite  young.  His  oldest  daughter  married  Mr. 
Sloan,  of  Greensboro.  His  second  daughter.  Miss  Nannie, 
married  Hon.  J.  L.  Brown,  one  of  the  most  worthy  men 
of  the  town.  His  youngest  daughter  married  Capt.  F.  S. 
DeWolf,  was  mayor  of  the  town,  and  moved  to  Seattle,  in 
Washington,  on  the  Pacific  Slope.  A  good  family,  but 
have  all  passed  away.  Good  people  can  be  raised  in  hotel 
life.     Maj.  Sadler  left  one  son  in  Charlotte,  who  stands  high 


196  HISTORY  OF 

as  an  express  manag-er.  Every  one  speaks  of  him  in  high 
terms.  Mr.  Ab,  Elliott  married  a  daughter  who  is  among 
our  best  women.  Mr.  T.  D.  Gillespie  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  men  of  the  day,  married  another,  and  has  left  a 
son  who  is  an  efficient  accountant  and  bookkeeper.  The 
other  daughters  married  men  of  equal  worth,  and  have 
moved  to  other  parts. 


GEN.  RUFUS  BARRINGER. 


Rufvis   BaLrringer,    of    Ca-beLrrus    SLnd    Meck- 
lenburg. 

Rnfus  Barringer  was  often  head  to  say,  "I  believe  in 
but  three  institutions,  the  Family,  the  Church,  and  the 
State,"  and  under  these  heads  this  sketch  will  be  written. 

As  to  Family,  reference  is  made  to  a  letter  of  his  to  Dr. 
Kemp  Battle,  written  in  the  spirit  of  the  true  American.  He 
says :  "So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  find,  the  Barringers,  of 
Germany,  laid  no  claim  to  noble  rank  or  descent;  but  I  do 
find  that  my  grandfather,  John  Paul  Barringer,  of  Wurten- 
burg,  was  a  man  of  heroic  mould  and  ever  a  good  man 
through  a  long  and  eventful  life." 

Rufus  Barringer  was  a  firm  believer  in  heredity.  Since 
it  is  always  interesting  to  note  family  characteristics,  we  re- 
turn to  the  founder  of  the  Barringer  family  in  North  Caro- 
lina, John  Paul  (or  Paulus)  Barringer.  He  was  born  in 
Wurtenburg  June  4,  1721,  arrived  in  Philadelphia  Septem- 
ber 20,  1743,  on  the  good  ship  Phoenix,  Capt.  Wm.  Wilson, 
last  from  Rotterdam.  He  married  in  Pennsylvania  Ann 
Eliza  Iseman,  and  after  several  years  (about  1750)  they 
with  their  children,  Catherine  and  John,  and  several  fellow 
countrymen,  joined  in  the  exodus  to  the  Piedmont  region  of 
North  Carolina,  where  they  settled  on  the  fertile  lands  of 
Dutch  Buffalo,  then  Anson  county,  afterwards  Mecklen- 
burg, and  now  Cabarrus,  thus  living  in  three  counties  with- 
out moving. 

The  desolation  of  the  country  during  the  seven  years  war, 
added  to  the  desire  of  being  land-owners,  is  said  to  have 
caused  this  immigration  from  Wurtenburg. 

John  Paul's  love  of  family  was  shown  by  his  sending  to 
the  "Old  Country"  for  father,  mother,  brothers  and  sisters. 
The  aged  parents  were  buried  at  sea,  but  two  brothers  and 
three  sisters  came.  George  settled  at  Gold  Hill.  Mathias 
married  Miss  Burhart,  settled  in  Lincoln,  and  was  killed  by 


198  HISTORY   OF 

the  Indians  in  Catawba,  where  a  monument  was  erected  to 
him  in  1891.  The  sisters  were:  Catherine  married  to 
Christian  Overshine,  Dolly  married  to  Nicholas  Cook,  and 
Elizabeth  or  Anna  Maria,  married  to  Christian  Earnhardt. 
Their  descendants  are  scattered  over  the  South  and  West, 
and  show  the  same  strong  characteristics  in  Family,  Church, 
and  State. 

In  1777,  John  Paul  Barringer  married  his  second  wife, 
Catherine,  daughter  of  Caleb  Blackwelder  and  Polly  Decker, 
and  raised  a  large  family. 

John  Paul  was  of  note  and  influence  in  his  community. 
He  was  captain  of  Queen's  Militia,  member  of  Committee 
of  Safety,  and  was  with  James  Hogg,  of  Orange,  appointed 
by  unanimous  consent  of  the  Halifax  convention  of  1776, 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  and  his  brother-in-law,  Caleb 
Phifer,  were  the  first  representatives  of  Cabarrus  in  the 
Legislature.  It  is  said  that  the  separation  of  Cabarrus  from 
Mecklenburg  was  due  to  the  indignation  of  John  Paul  and 
German  friends,  at  his  being  ridiculed  for  giving  orders  to 
his  company  in  German  or  Pennsylvania  Dutch.  The 
county  was  named  for  Stephen  Cabarrus,  who  aided  them 
to  get  the  act  through  the  Legislature. 

John  Paul  and  his  father-in-law,  Caleb  Blackwelder,  too 
old  for  service,  led  in  defence  of  the  settlement  against  the 
Tories,  who  destroyed  crops  and  carried  away  slaves.  Fin- 
ally the  Fanning  gang  raided  across  the  Yadkin,  destroyed 
everything  and  taking  these  two  men  prisoners,  carried 
them  to  Camden.  Old  Mrs.  Blackwelder,  nothing  daunted, 
followed  them  on  horseback  and  ministered  to  their  wants 
as  well  as  to  those  of  other  prisoners,  even  to  the  Britishers. 
Smallpox  was  raging  there  and  unfortunately,  she  commu- 
nicated the  disease  to  her  young  grandson  Paul,  who  always 
bore  the  marks  of  it.  The  husband  and  father  were  eventu- 
ally released  through  her  influence  and  that  of  a  man  named 
Levinstein.  The  Tory  most  obnoxious  to  that  neighbor- 
hood was  named  Hagar  and  was  finally  run  off.     Hagar's 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  X99 

mill  was  confiscated  by  Tom  Polk  and  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Barring-er  family. 

In  religion,  John  Paul  was  Lutheran  and  deeply  devo- 
tional, though  neither  sectarian  nor  fanatic.  He  used  daily 
a  large  Luther  Bible  (date  1747)  which  is  still  owned  by 
the  family.  These  German  Lutherans,  like  the  Presbyte- 
rians, ever  had  church  and  school  house  side  by  side.  He 
gave  a  large  body  of  land  to  the  church,  was  active  in  church 
building,  president  of  the  council  and  was  made  referee  in 
all  church  disputes.  The  "Yellow  Meeting  House"  was 
built  at  his  expense  and  the  congregation  voted  him  a  raised 
seat  of  honor,  moving  it  to  the  new  church  of  St.  John's 
when  rebuilt.  He  is  said  to  have  lived  well  after  the  man- 
ner of  his  day,  and  "they  say"  he  exchanged  a  barrel  of 
kraut  with  the  Italian  miner,  Rivafinoli,  for  a  barrel  of  im- 
ported wine. 

Gov.  Tryon  visited  him  during  his  tour  in  1768,  and  was 
highly  gratified  with  his  entertainment.  He  died  January 
I,  1807,  and  was  buried  at  St.  John's  church.  His  wife, 
Catherine,  lived  till  October  29,  1847,  ^g^^  92. 

GEN.   PAUIv  BARRINGER. 

The  oldest  son  of  John  Paul  Barringer  and  Catherine 
Blackwelder  was  born  in  1778,  on  Dutch  Buffaloi,  then  in 
Mecklenburg,  now  Cabarrus.  He  was  both  merchant  and 
farmer. 

His  father  had  never  mastered  the  English  language,  but 
he  gave  his  children  the  best  advantages  of  the  times  and 
directed  his  executor  to  have  his  minor  children  educated  in 
the  Protestant  faith.  Realizing  the  disadvantages  he  had 
labored  under  he  sent  his  sons  to  Chapel  Hill,  and  his 
daughters  to  the  best  schools.  Besides  his  own  children, 
hv.  helped  many  other  young  men  to  get  a  start  in  life. 

His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Brandon,  daughter  of  Matthew 
Brandon  and  Jean  Armstrong,  of  Rowan.  Her  family 
■were  the  Lockes,  Brandons  and  Armstrongs.     The  records 


200  HISTORY   OF 

show  that  many  patriotic  soldiers  were  furnished  by  them 
during  the  Revolution.  They  were  married  February  21, 
1805.  Their  children  were  Daniel  Moreau  Barringer,  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  minister  to  Spain,  aid  to  Gov.  Clark  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War;  Paul  Barringer,  of  Mississippi;  Rev. 
\Villiam  Barringer,  of  Greensboro;  Gen.  Rufus  Barringer, 
of  Charlotte;  Maj.  Victor  C.  Barringer,  First  North  Caro- 
lina Cavalry,  and  Judge  of  International  Court  of  Appeals 
in  Eg>'pt  from  1874  to  1894;  Margaret  married  John  Boyd, 
then  Andrew  Grier;  Mary  married  Charles  Harris,  M.  D. ; 
Elizabeth,  Edwin  Harris,  and  Catherine,  William  G.  Means. 

Like  his  father,  Paul  Barringer  was  a  devoted  patriot. 
He  was  an  old  line  Whig  and  bitterly  opposed  to  nullificar- 
tion  at  its  first  inception,  as  shown  in  circulars  published  in 
a  political  contest  with  Charles  Fisher  in  1832,  and  in  news- 
paper records  of  public  meetings  of  the  day.  He  was  often 
prominent  as  president  of  the  day  on  the  4th  of  July  and 
20th  of  May  anniversaries.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the 
authenticity  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  and  seems  to 
have  brought  up  his  sons  in  the  same  faith.  The  Western 
Carolinian  of  May  24,  1839,  mentions  the  orator  of  the  day, 
D.  M.  Barringer,  and  Wm.  Barringer  was  on  the  Commit- 
tee of  Invitation.  Rufus  Barringer's  journal  for  May, 
1844,  refers  to  a  "grand  celebration"  at  which  he  was  pres- 
ent in  Charlotte.  Cabarrus  was,  in  1775,  a  part  of  Meck- 
lenburg, and  many  of  the  "signers"  were  from  that  sec- 
tion of  the  county.  August  22,  1842,  we  find  that  Gen. 
Paul  Barringer  presides  at  a  meeting  to  present  to  the  As- 
sembly a  memorial  for  the  incorporation  of  the  Mecklen- 
burg Memorial  Association.. 

During  the  War  of  181 2,  December  23,  Paul  Barringer 
was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Hawkins  Brigadier-General  of 
the  Eleventh  Regiment,  North  Carolina  Troops.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  House  for  Cabarrus  for  ten  consecutive 
terms  (1806  to  1815),  and  of  the  State  Senate  in  1822. 

In  religion  he  and  his  wife  were  devoted  members  of  the 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  20I 

Lutheran  Church  and  both  lie  buried  in  that  church  yard  at 
Concord. 

RUFUS  BARRINGER. 

Rufus  Barringer,  fourth  son  of  Paul  Barringer  and  Eliz- 
abeth Brandon,  was  born  at  Poplar  Grove,  Cabarrus  county, 
December  2,  1821. 

He  was  prepared  for  college  by  R.  I.  McDowell  at  Sugar 
Creek  Academy  and  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in  1842.  He 
read  law  with  his  brother,  D.  M.  Barringer,  and  then  under 
Judge  Pearson,  practicing  in  Cabarrus  and  neighboring 
counties.  He,  like  his  father,  was  Whig  in  politics.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1848,  and  of 
the  State  Senate  in  1849,  and  was  a  Bell  and  Everett  elec- 
tor in  i860.  Like  his  father,  he  was  strongly  opposed  to 
secession  and  predicted  that  it  would  result  in  long  and 
bloody  war.  Seeing  that  war  was  inevitable,  he  warned  the 
Legislature  to  arm  the  State  and  prepare  for  the  support  of 
troops,  himself  volunteering  for  the  zmr  and  meaning  it. 

His  great-grandfather,  Caleb  Blackwelder,  gave  six  sons 
to  his  country  during  the  Revolution.  His  grand-father, 
John  Paul  Barringer,  suffered  from  the  Tories;  his  uncle, 
John  Barringer,  was  captain  of  a  company ;  his  father  volun- 
teered for  the  war  of  181 2,  and  his  maternal  ancestors  were 
active  in  defence  of  the  country.  Nothing  less  could  be 
expected  of  Rufus  Barringer  than  that  at  the  fall  of  Sum- 
ter, he  should  respond  to  the  call  of  his  country  and  volun- 
teer for  her  defence.  He  enlisted  for  the  war  in  the  Cabar- 
rus Rangers  April  19,  1861,  and  was  chosen  captain  of  the 
company,  which  became  Company  F,  First  North  Carolina 
Cavalry,  Ninth  State  Troops.  His  commission  bears  date 
of  May  16,  1 86 1.  Under  fine  drilling  and  through  the  ex- 
cellent discipline  of  Robert  Ransom,  its  first  Colonel,  this 
regiment  became  the  best  in  the  Confederate  service.  Un- 
der Hampton  and  Fitzhugh  Lee,  its  history  was  glorious  in 
every  campaign. 


202  HISTORY    OF 

In  an  old  paper  there  is  found  an  item  headed  "Won't  Go 
to  Cong^ress."  "While  others  are  trying  to  get  out  of  the 
army  by  being  elected  to  Congress,  Maj.  Rufus  Barringer 
refuses  to  go  to  Congress  to  remain  with  the  army.  Maj. 
Barringer  is  right,  for  the  country  needs  all  able-bodied  men 
in  the  field.     We  copy  his  letter. 

'Orange  Court  House,  Va.,  Oct.  17,  1863, 

"  'I  have  recently  received  numerous  solicitations  to  be- 
come a  candidate  for  Congress  in  the  Eighth  District.  These 
solicitations  I  have  uniformly  declined.  Within  the  last 
few  days  I  have  learned  that  many  of  my  friends  still  pro- 
pose voting  for  me,  whether  a  candidate  or  not.  Whilst  I 
am  deeply  grateful  to  all  who  have  thus  manifested  an  in- 
terest in  my  behalf  and  propose  giving  me  this  testimonial 
of  their  confidence,  I  deem  it  due  alike  to  them  and  to  myself 
to  state,  that  for  many  reasons  I  much  prefer  my  nam€ 
should  not  be  thus  used. 

"  *I  entered  the  army  from  a  sense  of  duty  alone,  count- 
ing the  cost  and  knowing  the  sacrifices. 

"  'Our  great  object  is  not  yet  obtained  and  I  do  not  conr 
sider  it  consistent  with  my  obligations  here  to  accept  any 
civil  or  political  office  during  the  war.  I  think  it  better  for 
those  in  service  to  stand  by  their  colors  whilst  those  at  home 
should  all  unite  in  a  cordial  and  earnest  support  of  the  au- 
thorities in  feeding,  clothing  and  otherwise  sustaining  the 
gallant  men  (and  their  families)  who  are  fighting  not  only 
for  our  rights,  but  for  the  safety  of  our  homes  and  firesides. 
My  chief  desire  is  to  see  all  party  bickerings  allayed.  The 
army  is  not  faint-hearted  and  will  nobly  perform  its  duty  to 
the  country. 

"  *If  croakers,  grumblers  and  growlers  who  torment 
themselves  and  all  around  them  with  imaginary  evils,  could 
only  lay  aside  their  fears.  If  hoarders,  speculators  and 
money  makers  could  only  be  educated  to  forget  their  selfish 
ends  for  a  season.  If  conscripts,  skulkers  and  deserters 
could  only  be  got  to  their  commands  and  all  come  up  to  the 


MECKIvENBURG   COUNTY.  203 

work  like  patriots  and  men,  the  army,  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  would  soon  secure  us  victory  and  peace.  Oh!  that 
those  men  would  reflect  upon  the  error  of  their  way  and  oipen 
their  hearts  to  the  call  of  their  bleeding-  country.  My  pray- 
ers are  that  all  dissentions  amongst  us  in  North  Carolina 
may  be  healed  and  that  headed  by  our  sworn  and  chosen 
leaders,  President  Davis  and  Governor  Vance,  the  party, 
appealing  alike  to  our  duty,  our  honor,  our  interest  and  our 
safety  would  now  consecrate  themselves  to  their  country.'  " 

Among  his  most  prized  treasures  were  letters  of  cornh 
mendation  from  R.  E.  Lee,  Hampton  and  Fitz.  Lee  to  the 
"Old  First."  He  was  promoted  Major  August  26,  1863; 
Lieutenant-Colonel  October  17,  1863,  and  Brigadier-General 
June,  1864,  his  brigade  consisting  Oif  the  First,  Second, 
Third  and  Fifth  Regiments.  Gen.  Barringer  was  in  sev- 
enty-six actions  and  was  thrice  wounded  most  severely  at 
Brandy  Station.  He  was  conspicuous  at  the  battles  of 
Willis'  Church,  Brandy  Station,  Auburn  Mills,  Buckland 
Races,  where  he  led  the  charge,  and  Davis'  Farm,  where  he 
commanded.  He  commanded  a  division  at  Reams'  Station. 
His  brigade  was  distinguished  at  Chamberlain  Run,  the  last 
decided  Confederate  victory,  where  it  forded  a  stream  one 
hundred  yards  wide,  saddle  girth  deep,  under  a  galling  fire, 
and  drove  back  a  division  of  Federal  cavalry,  March  31, 
1865.  On  April  3rd,  at  Namozine  Church,  he  was  taken 
prisoner  by  a  party  of  "Jesse  Scouts"  disguised  as  Confed- 
erates. (Among  the  scouts  were  Col.  Young  and  Capt. 
Rowland.)  He  was  taken  to  City  Point  with  Gens.  Ewell 
and  Custis  Lee.  Lincoln  in  Congress  had  desked  with  his 
elder  brother,  D.  M.  Barringer,  and  he  asked  for  an  inter- 
view, stating  that  he  had  "never  before  met  a  live  Confed- 
erate general  in  full  uniform."  His  party  was  sent  to  the 
old  capitol  prison  and  after  Lincoln's  death,  transferred  to 
Fort  Delaware,  remaining  in  confinement  until  August  5, 
1865. 

"His  courage,  efficiency  and  military  services  won  him  a 


204  HISTORY   Olf 

place  alongside  of  the  foremost  cavalry  leaders  of  the  day." 
But  he  cared  for  no  honors  which  he  could  not  share  with 
"the  brave  and  self-sacrificing  private  of  North  Carolina, 
the  glory  of  the  Confederate  Army,"  as  he  was  wont  to  say, 
and  he  was  ever  anxious  that  justice  should  be  given  them 
in  history.  On  one  of  his  last  days  he  pleaded  with  an  hon- 
ored Confederate  captain  to  write  of  the  brave  deeds  of  his 
regiment,  but  was  answered,  "No,  General;  I  have  been 
thirty  years  trying  to  forget  the  war."  This  met  with  the 
response,  "You  are  wrong,  all  wrong;  it  is  due  to  yourself, 
as  to  them,  that  history  give  them  the  honor  to  which  they 
are  entitled  by  their  bravery  and  self-sacrifice." 

His  whole  heart  was  in  the  honor  oi  his  State  in  war  and 
in  peace.  He  was  eager  tO'  have  the  true  record  published, 
but  he  himself  felt  unequal  to  any  part  of  the  work.  Finally, 
in  November,  1894,  Judge  Clark  plead  with  him,  saying: 
"You  are  very  busy;  only  busy  men  have  the  energy  and 
talent  for  the  work.  Your  record  as  a  soldier  satisfies  me 
you  will  not  decline  this  part  of  duty.  I  respectfully  request 
that  you  write  the  history  of  the  Ninth  Regiment,  N.  C.  S. 
T.  (First  Cavalry).  Please  acknowledge  your  acceptance 
of  this  assignment  to  duty,  the  last  which  the  Confederate 
soldier  can  ask  of  you."  Though  on  his  sick  bed,  he  called 
for  notes,  clippings,  rosters,  etc.,  and  as  a  labor  of  love, 
wrote  the  article  for  the  Regimental  History,  dictating  to 
his  wife,  but  correcting  the  proofs  himself. 

As  Gen.  Barringer  said,  he  "staked  all  and  lost  all"  by 
the  war.  He  then  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  removed  to 
Charlotte  in  1866  and  formed  partnership  with  Judge  James 
Osborne,  giving  the  closest  attention  to  business  and  making 
his  client's  interest  his  own. 

He  disliked  litigation  and  used  his  influence  with  his 
clients  for  compromise.  For  object  lesson  to  this  effect,  he 
kept  hanging  in  his  office  a  print  of  two  farmers  quarreling 
over  a  cow ;  one  had  the  cow  by  the  tail  and  the  other  had 
her  by  the  horns,  while  the  lawyer  sat  quietly  on  his  stool 
getting  all   the  milk.     I  copy  from  his  journal  January, 


MECKI.ENBURG  COUNTY.  20$ 

1844,  his  first  court :  "I  had  one  case  of  some  importance. 
We  agreed  to  leave  it  to  arbitration.  I  got  my  client  off 
remarkably  well.  He  had  been  sued  for  $300,  but  the  plain- 
tiff did  not  get  a  cent.  I  got  a  fee  of  $5.00."  Seeing  that 
he  put  his  whole  soul  into  the  case  of  his  client,  one  asked 
him  how  he  felt  when  he  lost  a  case.  "I  do  the  best  that  is  in 
me  for  my  client,  and  then  accept  the  consequences."  Just 
so  he  had  done  with  the  result  of  the  war. 

Being  convinced  that  it  was  wisest  for  the  South  to  accept 
the  reconstruction  acts  of  1867,  he  allied  himself  with  the 
Republican  party,  and  though  very  sensitive  to  the  opinions 
of  his  fellow  men,  he  was  tenacious  of  his  principles  and  no 
amount  of  ridicule  or  opposition  could  make  him  swerve 
from  what  he  considered  the  part  of  duty.  But  "during  the 
most  violent  and  bitter  struggle  in  the  State,  political  dif- 
ference detracted  nothing  in  the  public  estimation  from  the 
substantial  worth  of  his  personal  character."  And  when  in 
1875,  the  State  Convention  was  held  to  amend  the  Constitu- 
tion, he  was  elected  as  a  Republican  from  the  Democratic 
county  of  Mecklenburg;  and  in  1880,  though  defeated  for 
Lieutenant-Governor,  he  went  far  ahead  of  his  party  in  his 
own  county. 

In  1884,  Gen.  Barringer  retired  from  the  active  practice 
of  law  and  devoted  himself  to  his  farming  interests  and  to 
literary  pursuits. 

He  was  much  interested  in  general  education,  made  it  a 
point  of  paying  tuition  for  some  needy  boy  or  girl,  and  was 
largely  influential  in  establishing  the  graded  school  in  Char- 
lotte in  1874,  advocating  an  industrial  feature  in  connec- 
tion with  it.  He  was  also  a  warm  advocate  for  the  Agricul- 
tural and  Mechanical  College,  and  was  numbered  among 
the  first  trustees.  He  was  for  years  trustee  of  Davidson 
College.  He  and  Dr.  Hutchison  and  Col.  Myers  were  for  a 
number  of  years  trustees  of  the  Biddle  University,  which 
was  included  in  the  home  mission  work  of  the  Northern 
Presbyterian  Board.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  watch- 
ing the  result  of  educating  the  colored  man. 


206  HISTORY   OF 

One  who  was  intimately  associated  said :  "The  one  thing 
about  Gen.  Barring^er  that  struck  me  above  all  others,  was 
his  love  for  his  fellow  men.  He  was  a  man  of  broad  ana 
true  thought.  We  had  never  had  any  conversation,  but 
what  he  spoke  of  the  different  classes  and  how  to  better 
their  conditions. 

"He  was  always  thinking  of  how  to  better  conditions,  and 
was  filled  with  a  high  sense  of  duty.  His  thoughts  went 
out  beyond  himself. 

"Another  thing  that  impressed  me  about  Gen.  Barringer 
was,  that  while  I  never  knew  him  in  perfect  health,  he  never 
grew  old. 

"He  sympathized  with  the  thoughts  and  schemes  of  every 
man.  All  schemes  ecclesiastical  and  social,  he  entered  into 
with  zeal  and  interest.  He  was  largely  influential  in  the 
establishment  of  the  library  in  Charlotte,  and  of  the  Histori- 
cal Society,  contributing  freely  to  both." 

I  quote  from  another  that  knew  him  well :  "Gen.  Barrin- 
ger was  a  remarkable  man  in  many  respects.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  liberal  and  generous  citizens  Charlotte  had.  His 
hand  was  always  in  his  pocket  to  give  to  any  good  cause  and 
his  gifts  were  munificent.  He  was  eminently  a  just  man 
and  was  business  to  the  core.  He  required  the  last  farthing 
promised  or  agreed  to  be  paid,  not  for  money's  sake,  but 
for  the  sake  of  the  agreement,  and  yet  the  next  moment 
would  give  freely  to  some  good  cause." 

He  was  a  student  and  devoted  much  time  to  political 
economy.  He  had  great  faith  in  the  "power  of  the  press," 
and  frequently  wrote  for  the  papers  on  various  subjects. 
He  was  progressive  in  his  ideas  beyond  the  times. 

Besides  the  history  of  the  First  North  Carolina  Cavalry, 
he  published  a  pamphlet  for  the  Historical  Society  on  "The 
North  Carolina  Railroad,"  one  on  "The  Battle  of  Ramsour's 
Mill,"  and  a  series  of  "Sketches  on  the  Old  Dutch  Side." 
These  brought  him  letters  from  all  over  the  South  and  West. 

One  of  a  large  family,  happy  in  each  other,  he  followed 
in  the  footsteps  of  his  parents,  ruling  well  his  household,  in 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  207 

a  firmness  of  love,  believing  with  Riiskin,  "There  is  a  some- 
thing in  a  good  man's  home  which  cannot  be  renewed  in 
every  tenement  that  rises  on  its  ruin."  A  young  woman 
who  had  been  much  in  his  home,  said :  "When  alone  in  the 
great  crowds  of  New  York  battling  with  poverty,  it  has 
rested  and  comforted  me  to  think  of  his  home  and  to  know 
that  there  are  such  men  in  the  world." 

Gen.  Barringer  was  married  three  times.  His  first  wife 
was  Eugenia,  daughter  of  Dr.  Robt.  Hall  Morrison.  To 
them  were  born  two  children,  Anna,  who  died  at  maturity, 
and  Paul  Brandon  Barringer,  now  of  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, with  a  large  family  of  his  own. 

The  second  wife  was  Rosalie  Chunn,  of  Asheville,  Avho 
had  one  son,  Rufus  Barringer.  In  1870  Gen.  Barringer 
married  Margaret  Long,  of  Hillsboro,  who,  with  her  son, 
Osmond  Long  Barringer,  lives  at  the  home  place  in  Char- 
lotte. 

He  was  a  man  who  lived  not  only  in  the  present,  but  in  the 
future,  and  on  the  approach  of  the  three  score  and  ten  allot- 
ted to  man,  he  felt  that  the  world's  work  were  better  done 
by  more  active  men. 

Though  not  shirking  any  evident  duty,  he  resigned  for- 
mally from  responsibilities  as  school  trustee,  bank  director, 
church  elder,  etc. 

In  1894,  he  felt  his  health  declining  and  with  his  usual 
methodical  care  and  forethought,  he  "set  his  house  in  or- 
der," arranged  his  papers  and  affairs,  and  instructed  his 
agent,  so  that  no  confusion  might  arise  on  accotmt  of  his 
death.  To  the  end  his  mind  was  clear  and  strong.  He  read 
and  kept  up  with  current  events  in  the  daily  papers  to  the 
day  of  his  death,  February  3,  1895.  He  bade  his  family 
"Farewell."  folded  his  hands  and  fell  asleep. 

Though  liberal  to  all  denominations.  Gen.  Barringer  was 
in  faith  strongly  Calvinistic. 

He  said :  "When  a  young  man  and  about  to  connect 
myself  with  the  church.  I  resolved  to  take  no  man's  word, 
and  to  search  the  Scriptures  for  myself.    This  I  did  and  to 


208  HISTORY  OF 

my  mind,  the  Presbyterian  doctrine  was  plainly  set  forth 
in  every  chapter.  I  have  never  seen  cause  to  change  my 
belief  or  to  be  troubled  by  any  new  doctrine." 

He  passed  through  deep  waters,  but  said:  "Through  it 
all  God  sustained  me." 

On  one  of  his  last  days,  he  said  to  his  pastor:  "If  you 
can  unfold  to  me  any  new  truth  of  that  better  land,  do  so." 

The  reply  was :  "I  cannot ;  all  I  say  is,  we  shall  be  sat- 
isfied when  we  awake  in  His  likeness."  To  this  he  calmly 
answered :    "It  is  enough." — Contributed. 


ZEBULON  B.  VANCE. 


T5he  Greett  Connmoner,  Z.  B.  Va-nce. 

To  ignore  the  name  of  Senator  Vance  in  the  history  of 
Mecklenburg,  is  to  leave  unrecorded  a  name  of  a  man  "who 
was  not  born  for  a  day,  but  for  all  time."  In  the  year  1866 
Gov.  Vance  became  a  citizen  of  this  county,  and  remained  a 
citizen  of  the  county,  and  always  came  here  to  vote,  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  14,  1894. 

"Zebulon  Baird  Vance  was  born  in  Buncombe  county, 
North  Carolina,  May  13,  1830;  was  educated  at  Washing- 
ton College,  Tenn.,  and  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina 
studied  law;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1852,  and 
w^as  elected  county  attorney  for  Buncombe  county  the  same 
year;  was  a  member  of  the  State  House  of  Commons  in 
1854;  was  a  Representative  from  North  Carolina  in  the 
Thirty-fifth  and  Thirty-sixth  Congresses;  entered  the  Con- 
federate army  as  captain  in  May,  1861,  and  was  made  colo- 
nel in  August,  1861 ;  was  elected  Governor  of  North  Caro- 
lina in  August,  1862,  and  re-elected  in  August,  1864;  was 
elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  in  November,  1870,  but 
was  refused  admission  and  resigned  in  January,  1872;  was 
elected  Governor  of  North  Carolina  for  the  third  time  in 
1876,  and  in  January,  1878,  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate;  was  re-elected  in  1885,  was  again  re-elected  in  1891, 
and  died  at  his  residence  in  Washington  April  14,  1894." 

His  paternal  and  maternal  ancestors  both  were  revolu- 
tionary patriots.  The  "Vance  Homestead"  was  a  large 
frame  building  of  the  "olden  time"  with  broad  stone  chim- 
neys, indicative  of  comfort  and  hospitality.  It  stood  near 
the  French  Broad  river  and  in  the  midst  of  the  Blue  Ridge 
mountains.  Now  the  house  has  been  taken  down  and  only 
a  few  stones  remain  to  mark  the  site  where  it  once  stood. 
It  is  a  place  of  beauty. 

In  front  of  it  the  river  is  smooth  and  placid  as  a  lake; 
above  and  below  it  dashes  and  roars  into  a  mountain  tor- 


2IO  HISTORY   OF 

rent,  and  you  almost  hear  the  echoes  of  the  ocean.  Around 
it  the  great  mountains  tower  like  giants,  and  their  dark  for- 
ests are  mirrored  in  the  deep,  blue  bosom  of  the  stream. 
On  this  scene,  amid  sublimity  and  beauty,  Vance  first  beheld 
the  light  of  heaven.  From  this  beautiful  river,  from  these 
sublime  mountains,  from  neighboring  scenes,  all  bristling 
with  heroic  and  patriotic  recollections,  he  received  his  first 
impressions.  These  were  the  books  from  which  he  learned 
the  lessons  that  were  to  be  the  foundations  of  his  illustrious 
career.  He  was  the  son  of  the  mountains,  and  I  rarely 
looked  on  him  without  being  reminded  of  them. 

At  the  University,  Vance  remained  two  years  and  pur- 
sued a  selected  course  of  studies,  and  soon  made  a  name  for 
genius,  wit  and  oratory.  He  was  a  special  favorite  of  Pres- 
ident Swain,  who  for  so  many  years  had  exerted  a  powerful 
influence  in  elevating  and  directing  the  youth  of  the  South 
and  made  all  of  us  who  came  under  it  better  citizens  and 
better  men.  Young  Vance  was  extremely  popular  with 
the  students  and  also  with  the  people  of  the  village  of 
Chapel  Hill.  Even  then  reports  came  from  the  University 
of  his  brilliant  wit,  his  striking  originality  and  his  high 
promise. 

He  served  one  session  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  there 
gave  unmistakable  earnest  of  the  illustrious  life  before  him. 
He  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  the 
Thirty-fifth  and  Thirty-sixth  Congresses  and  took  distin- 
,^uished  position  in  that  assembly,  which  has  been  the  lists 
of  so  many  statesmen.  In  1861,  upon  the  adjournment  of 
Congress,  he  returned  home,  and  seeing  that  war  was  inev- 
itable, raised  a  company  of  volunteers,  marched  to  Virginia 
and  soon  afterwards  was  elected  colonel  of  the  Twenty-sixth 
Regiment,  North  Carolina  Infantry,  a  regiment  justly  dis- 
tinguished for  the  largest  loss  of  killed  and  wounded  during 
the  war  of  any  regiment,  either  North  or  South. 

He  had  always  been  opposed  to  the  secession  of  the  South- 
ern States,  did  everything  possible  to  avert  it,  and  was  one 
of  the  very  last  Southern  men  to  declare  his  love  and  devo- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  211 

tion  to  the  Union.  In  the  battle  of  New  Bern,  N.  C,  in 
March,  1862,  Col.  Vance  was  conspicuous  for  courage  and 
coolness,  and  received  the  highest  commendation  for  his  sol- 
dierly conduct  on  that  field.  In  August  of  that  year  he  was 
elected  Governor  of  the  State,  and  received  the  almost  unan- 
imous vote  of  the  soldiers.  In  1864  he  was  re-elected  Gov- 
ernor by  a  very  large  majority,  and  held  the  executive  office 
until  the  occupation  of  Raleigh  by  Gen.  Sherman  in  April, 
1865.  As  the  executive  of  North  Carolina  his  administra- 
tion was  signally  distinguished  by  great  ability,  vigor  and 
energy,  by  ardent  and  constant  fidelity  to  the  Southern  Cause, 
and  by  wise  foresight  and  prudent  husbandry  of  all  the  re- 
sources of  the  State.  He  was  in  every  sense  governor  of 
the  State.  From  the  day  on  which  he  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  the  office  until  the  hour  when  he  laid  it  down,  his 
commanding  genius  asserted  his  competence  for  the  great 
responsibilities  of  the  position,  and  his  administration  de- 
served and  received  the  unbounded  confidence,  support,  and 
approbation  of  all  the  patriotic  people  of  North  Carolina. 
He  called  to  his  councils  the  wisest,  the  best,  the  most 
trusted  men  in  the  State  of  all  shades  of  patriotic  sentiment. 
He  inspired  the  people  with  renewed  love  for  the  struggle; 
he  united  the  discordant  elements  among  us;  he  animated 
the  despondent;  he  tolerated  the  conscientious  lovers  of 
peace;  he  rebuked  the  timid;  he  brought  back  to  life  the 
spirit  of  our  revolutionary  patriots ;  he  gave  new  hope  to  the 
army ;  he  aroused  the  pride  of  the  State ;  he  strengthened  all 
its  means,  and  prepared  for  war  to  the  end.  Well  may  he 
have  been  designated  as  the  "Great  war  Governor  of  the 
South."  These  acts  of  his  administration  are  justly  entitled 
to  be  ranked  as  historic.  First,  the  organization  of  a  fleet 
of  vessels  to  sail  from  Wilmington,  N.  C,  to  Europe,  with 
cargoes  of  cotton  and  return  with  supplies  for  the  soldiers 
and  essential  necessaries  for  the  people.  This  supreme  en- 
terprise was  eminently  successful.  For  months  and  years 
the  Advance  and  other  vessels,  commanded  by  skillful  of- 
ficers, well  manned  and  adequately  equipped,  went  like  sea- 


212  HISTORY   OF 

birds  across  the  ocean  to  Europe,  laden  with  the  great 
staples  of  the  South,  and  returning  with  stores  of  needed 
supplies,  triumphantly  eluding-  the  blockading-  squadron, 
and  sailed  with  colors  flying  up  the  Cape  Fear  to  Wilming- 
ton. The  soldiers  were  clothed  and  fed,  cards  and  spinning 
wheels,  sewing  and  knitting  needles  were  furnished  to  our 
noble  women,  machinery  for  looms,  surgical  instruments, 
medicines,  books  and  seeds,  were  all  brought  home  to  a  suf- 
fering people.  The  history  of  the  war  does  not  present  an 
example  of  greater  wisdom  and  success. 

Second:  In  1864  and  1865,  when  the  resources  of  the 
South  were  absolutely  exhausted,  when  our  noble  armies 
were  reduced  and  hemmed  in  on  every  side,  ragged,  hungry 
and  almost  without  ammunition;  when  starvation  and 
famine  confronted  every  threshold  in  the  South,  and  a  mor- 
sel of  bread  was  the  daily  subsistence  of  a  family ;  in  that  dark 
and  dreadful  hour  Gov.  Vance  first  appealed  to  the  Govern- 
ment at  Richmond,  and  finding  it  perfectly  helpless  to  give 
any  relief,  summoned  his  Council  of  State  and  by  almost 
superhuman  efforts  prevailed  upon  the  destitute  people  of 
North  Carolina  to  divide  their  last  meal  and  their  pitiful 
clothing  with  the  suffering  Union  prisoners  at  Salisbury. 
Humanity,  chivalry,  piety,  I  invoke  from  you  a  purer,  bet- 
ter, holier  example  of  Christian  charity  in  war. 

Third :  During  his  administration  as  Governor  in  North 
Carolina,  although  war  was  flagrant,  though  camps  covered 
the  fields,  though  soldiers  were  conscripted  by  thousands, 
though  cold-hearted  men  of  ample  means  refused  supplies 
to  soldiers  with  bleeding  feet,  though  the  whole  militia  was 
armed,  though  thousands  of  deserters,  refugees  from  duty, 
were  arrested ;  though  the  War  Department  daily  called  for 
more  men;  though  every  art  and  artifice  and  device  was 
practiced  to  keep  the  soldiers  from  the  field;  though  spies 
and  traitors  were  detected  and  seized;  though  traders  in 
contraband  of  war  were  consequently  caught  flagrante  de- 
licto and  captured;  though  in  all  counties  in  time  of  war 
civil  authority  has  been  compelled  to  submit  to  military 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  213 

necessity  and  power,  yet  in  North  Carolina  during-  the  war, 
the  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  the  great  writ  of  liberty,  was 
never  for  one  moment  suspended.  Immortal  history! 
Worthy  of  Mecklenburg  and  the  20th  of  May,  1775. 

In  1876,  Gov.  Vance  was  for  the  third  time  elected  Gov- 
ernor of  North  Carolina,  and  his  administration  was  the 
beginning  of  a  new  era  for  our  State.  The  millions  of 
fraudulent  bonds  that  were  passed  and  recognized  by  the 
State  Legislature,  were  promptly  scaled  down  to  what  they 
yielded  the  State.  Our  legislative  hall  had  been  filled  with 
our  former  slaves,  scalawags  and  men  of  uncertain  places  to 
dwell.  All  these  things  of  a  bad  smelling  odor,  that  proved 
so  detrimental  to  our  State  were  driven  away  by  the  great 
tribunal  of  our  State.  From  this  time  onward  North  Caro- 
lina has  taken  on  new  life. 

In  1878  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate,  and  until  he  died, 
remained  a  member  of  that  body,  having  been  elected  four 
times  as  a  Senator.  His  record  in  the  Senate  is  part  of  the 
Nation's  history.  He  vigilantly  defended  the  rights,  honor, 
and  interests  of  the  Southern  States,  not  from  sectional  pas- 
sion or  prejudice,  but  because  it  was  his  duty  as  a  patriot 
to  every  State  and  to  the  Union.  He  was  bold,  brave,  open, 
candid,  and  without  reserve.  He  desired  all  the  world  to 
know  his  opinio'us  and  positions,  and  never  hesitated  to 
avow  them. 

His  heart,  every  moment,  was  in  North  Carolina.  His 
devotion  to  the  State  and  the  people  was  unbounded;  his 
solicitude  for  her  welfare,  his  deep  anxiety  in  all  that  con- 
cerned her,  and  his  ever  readiness  to  make  every  sacrifice  in 
her  behalf  was  daily  manifested  in  all  his  words  and  actions. 
Senator  Vance  was  an  uncommon  orator.  He  spoke  with 
great  power.  His  style  was  brief,  clear,  and  strong;  his 
statements  were  accurate  and  definite;  his  arguments  com- 
pact and  forcible;  his  illustrations  unsurpassed  in  their  fit- 
ness; his  wit  and  humor  were  the  ever  waiting  and  ready 
hand-maids  to  his  reasoning,  and  always  subordinated  to 
the  higher  purposes  of  his  speech.    They  were  torch-bearers, 


214  HISTORY    OF 

ever  bring-ing  fresh  light.  He  always  instructed,  always  in- 
terested, always  entertained,  and  never  wearied  or  fatigued 
an  audience,  and  knew  when  to  conclude.  The  Senate 
always  heard  him  with  pleasure,  and  the  galleries  hung  upon 
his  lips,  and  with  bended  bodies  and  with  outstretched  necks 
would  catch  his  every  word  as  it  fell.  He  rarely,  if  ever, 
spoke  without  bringing  down  applause.  His  wit  was  as  in- 
exhaustible as  it  was  exquisite.  His  humor  was  overflow- 
ing, fresh,  sparkling  like  bubbling  drops  of  wine  in  a  goblet; 
but  he  husbanded  these  rare  resources  of  speech  with  admir- 
able skill,  and  never  displayed  them  for  ostentation.  They 
were  weapons  of  offense  and  defense,  and  were  always  kept 
sharp  and  bright  and  ready  for  use.  He  was  master  of  irony 
and  sarcasm,  but  there  was  no  malice,  no  hatred  in  his  swift 
and  true  arrows.  Mortal  wounds  were  often  given,  but  the 
shafts  were  never  poisoned.  It  was  the  strength  of  the  bow 
and  the  skill  of  the  archer  that  sent  the  steel  through  the 
heart  of  its  victim.  But  strength,  force,  clearness,  brevity, 
honesty  of  conviction,  truth,  passion,  good  judgment  were 
the  qualities  that  made  his  speech  powerful  and  effective. 
He  believed  what  he  said.  He  knew  it  was  true,  he  felt  its 
force  himself,  his  heart  was  in  his  words,  he  was  ready  to 
put  place,  honor,  life  itself  upon  the  issue.  This  was  the 
secret  of  his  popularity,  fame  and  success  as  a  speaker. 

He  studied  his  speeches  with  the  greatest  care,  deliber- 
ated, meditated  upon  them  constantly,  arranged  the  order 
of  his  topics  with  consummate  discretion,  introduced  author- 
ities from  history,  and  very  often  from  sacred  history,  pre- 
sented some  popular  faith  as  an  anchor  to  his  ship,  and  con- 
cluded with  a  sincere  appeal  to  the  patriotic  impulses  of  the 
people.  No  speaker  ever  resorted  to  the  bayonet  more  fre- 
quently. He  did  not  skirmish;  he  marched  into  the  battle, 
charged  the  centre  of  the  lines,  and  never  failed  to  draw 
blood  of  the  enemy.  Sometimes  he  was  supreme  in  manner, 
in  words,  in  thought,  in  pathos.  He  possessed  the  thunder- 
bolts, but,  like  Jove,  he  never  trifled  with  them ;  he  only  in- 
voked them  when  gigantic  perils  confronted  his  cause. 


MECKLKNBURG   COUNTY.  215 

In  1876,  upon  his  third  nomination  for  Governor,  speak- 
ing to  an  immense  audience  in  the  State  House  Square  at 
Raleigh,  he  held  up  both  hands  in  the  light  of  the  sun  and, 
with  solemn  invocation  to  Almighty  God,  declared  that  they 
were  white  and  stainless ;  that  not  one  cent  of  corrupt  money- 
had  ever  touched  their  palms.  The  effect  was  electric;  the 
statement  was  conviction  and  conclusion.  The  argument 
was  unanswerable.  It  was  gi'eat  nature's  action.  It  was 
eloquence,  it  was  truth. 

Senator  Vance's  integrity  and  uprightness  in  public  and  in 
private  life  were  absolute;  they  were  unimpeached  and  un- 
impeachable— he  was  honest.  It  was  his  priceless  inheri- 
tance which  he  leaves  to  his  family,  his  friends,  his  country. 
He  was  an  honest  man.  Calumny  fell  harmless  at  his  feet; 
the  light  dissipated  every  cloud  and  he  lived  co'ntinuously 
in  its  broad  rays ;  his  breast-plate,  his  shield,  his  armor  was 
the  light,  the  truth.  There  was  no  darkness,  no  mystery,  no 
shadow  upon  his  bright  standard.  His  compeers  will  all 
remember  the  loss  of  his  eye  in  the  winter  of  1889.  How 
touching  it  was — a  sacrifice,  an  offering  on  the  altar  of  his 
country.  For  no  victim  was  ever  more  tightly  bound  to  the 
stake  than  he  was  to  his  duty  here.  How  bravely,  how 
patiently,  how  cheerfully,  how  manfully  he  bore  the  dread- 
ful loss.  But  the  light,  the  glorious  light  of  a  warm  heart, 
a  noble  nature,  a  good  conscience,  an  innocent  memory,  was 
never  obscured  to  him. 

In  his  long,  tedious  illness  no  complaint,  no  murmurs 
escaped  his  calm  and  cheerful  lips.  He  was  composed,  firm, 
brave,  constant,  hopeful  to  the  last.  His  love  of  country 
was  unabated,  his  friendship  unchanged,  his  devotion  to 
duty  unrelaxed.  His  philosophy  was  serene,  his  brow  was 
cloudless,  his  spirit,  his  temper,  his  great  mind,  all  were 
superior  to  his  sufferings. 

His  great  soul  illuminated  the  physical  wreck  and  ruin 
around  it,  and  shone  out  with  clearer  lustre  amid  disease 
and  decay.  Truly  he  was  a  most  wonderful  man.  His  last 
thoughts,  his  dying  words,  his  expiring  prayers,  were  for 


2l6  HISTORY   OF 

his  country,  for  liberty  and  the  people.  A  great  patriot,  a 
noble  citizen,  a  good  man,  it  is  impossible  not  to  remember, 
to  admire,  to  love  him.  No  man  among  the  living  or  the 
dead  ever  so  possessed  and  held  the  hearts  of  North  Caroli- 
na's people.  In  their  confidence,  their  affection,  their  devo- 
tion, and  their  gratitude  he  stood  unapproachable — without 
a  peer.  When  he  spoke  to  them  they  listened  to  him  with 
faith,  with  admiration,  with  rapture  and  exultant  joy. 
His  name  was  ever  upon  their  lips.  His  pictures  were  in 
almost  every  household.  Their  children  by  hundreds  bore 
his  beloved  name,  and  his  words  of  wit  and  wisdom  were 
repeated  by  every  tongue. 

What  Tell  was  to  Switzerland,  what  Bruce  was  to  Scot- 
land, what  William  of  Orange  was  to  Holland — I  had 
almost  said  what  Moses  was  to  Israel — Vance  was  to  North 
Carolina.  I  can  give  you  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  deep,  fervid, 
exalted  sentiment  which  our  people  cherished  for  their  great 
tribune.  His  thoughts,  his  feeling,  his  words  were  theirs. 
He  was  their  shepherd,  their  champion,  their  friend,  their 
guide,  blood  of  their  blood,  great,  good,  noble,  true,  human 
like  they  were  in  all  respects,  no  better,  but  wiser,  abler,  with 
higher  knowledge  and  profounder  learning.  Nor  was  this 
unsurpassed  devotion  unreasonable  or  without  just  founda- 
tion. For  more  than  the  third  of  a  century,  for  upwards  of 
thirty  years,  in  peace  or  in  war,  in  prosperity  and  in  adver- 
sity, in  joy  or  in  sorrow,  he  had  stood  by  them  like  a  brother 
— a  defender,  a  preserver,  a  deliverer.  He  was  their  martyr 
and  had  suffered  for  their  acts.  He  was  their  shield  and 
had  protected  them  from  evil  and  from  peril.  He  had  been 
with  them  and  their  sons  and  brothers  on  the  march — by 
the  campfires,  in  the  burning  light  of  battle;  beside  the 
wounded  and  dying;  in  their  darkest  hours  amid  hunger  and 
cold,  and  famine  and  pestilence,  with  watchful  care  had 
brought  them  comfort  and  shelter  and  protection.  They 
remembered  the  gray  jackets,  the  warm  blankets,  the  good 
shoes,  the  timely  food,  the  blessed  medicines,  which  his  sym- 
pathy and  provision  had  brought  them.     In  defeat,  and  in 


MltCKLENBURG  COUNTY.  217 

tumult,  amid  ruin,  humiliation  and  the  loss  of  all  they  had, 
he  had  been  their  adviser,  he  had  guided  them  through  the 
wilderness  of  their  woes  and  brought  them  safely  back  to 
their  right  and  all  their  hopes.  He  had  been  to  them  like 
the  north  star  to  the  storm-tossed  and  despairing  mariner. 
He  had  been  greater  than  Ulysses  to  the  Greeks.  He  had 
preserved  their  priceless  honor,  and  saved  their  homes,  and 
was  the  defender  of  their  liberties.  He  was  their  benefac- 
tor. Every  object  around  them  reminded  them  of  his  care, 
every  memory  recalled,  every  thought  suggested  his  use- 
fulness and  their  gratitude. 

The  light  from  their  school  house  spoke  of  his  services 
to  their  education.  The  very  sight  of  their  graves  brought 
back  to  their  hearts  his  tender  devotion  to  their  sons;  and 
the  papers  and  the  wires  with  the  rising  of  almost  every 
sun  bore  to  their  pure  bosoms  the  news  of  his  success,  his 
triumphs  and  his  honors.  They  were  proud  of  him;  they 
admired  him — they  loved  him.  These,  these  were  the  foun- 
dations, the  solid  foundations  of  his  place  in  their  minds  and 
in  their  hearts.  From  the  wind-beaten  and  storm-bleached 
Cape  Hatteras  to  the  dark  blue  mountain  tops  that  divide 
North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  there  is  not  a  spot  from  which 
the  name  of  Vance  is  not  echoed  with  honor  and  love.  But 
his  influence  and  his  fame  were  not  confined  within  State 
lines. 

In  New  England  the  sons  of  the  brave  Puritans  admired 
his  love  of  liberty,  his  independence  of  thought,  his  freedom 
of  speech,  his  contempt  for  pretensions  and  his  abhorrence  of 
deceit.  The  hardy  miners  in  the  far  West  and  on  the  Pacific 
hills  felt  his  friendship  and  were  grateful  for  his  services. 
Virginia  loved  him  as  the  vindicator  of  her  imperiled  rights 
and  honor.  From  the  farms  and  fields  and  firesides  of  the 
husbandmen  of  the  republic  there  came  to  him  the  greeting 
of  friends,  for  he  was  always  the  advocate  of  low  taxes 
and  equal  rights  and  privileges  to  all  men.  From  all  the 
South  he  was  looked  upon  as  the  representative  of  their  sor- 
row and  the  example  of  their  honor;  and  all  over  the  civ- 


2l8  HISTORY   OF 

ilized  world  the  people  of  Israel — "the  scattered  nation" — 
everywhere  bowed  with  uncovered  heads  to  the  brave  man 
who  had  rendered  his  noble  testimony  and  tribute  to  the 
virtues  of  their  race.  Even  the  officers,  the  sentinels  and 
watchmen  over  him  in  the  old  capitol  prison,  in  which  he 
was  confined  on  the  alleged  and  wrongful  charge  that  he 
had  violated  the  laws  of  war,  were  spell-bound  by  his  genial 
spirit  and  became  his  devoted  friends  up  to  the  hour  of  his 
death.  His  genius,  his  ability,  his  humanity,  his  long  con- 
tinued public  service,  his  great  physical  suffering,  a  martyr- 
dom to  his  duty,  the  sorcery  of  his  wit,  the  magic  of  his 
humor  and  the  courage  of  his  convictions  had  attracted  the 
universal  sympathy  and  admiration  of  the  American  peo- 
ple. 

In  this  brief  summary  is  embraced  a  great  life.  County 
attorney,  member  of  the  State  House  of  Commons,  Repre- 
sentative in  two  Congresses,  Captain  and  Colonel  in  the 
Southern  army;  three  times  elected  Governor  of  his  State, 
and  four  times  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 
What  a  record  and  what  a  combination.  A  great  states- 
man, a  good  soldier,  a  rare  scholar,  a  successful  lawyer,  an 
orator  of  surpassing  power  and  eloquence,  a  man  popular 
and  beloved  as  few  men  have  ever  been.  Great  in  peace  and 
great  in  war,  equal  to  every  fortune,  superior  to  adversity 
and  greater  still,  superior  in  prosperity.  Successful  in  every- 
thing which  he  attempted,  eminent  in  every  field  in  which 
he  appeared,  and  fitted  for  every  effort  which  he  undertook. 
He  was  master  of  political  science,  and  distinguished  in 
scholarship  and  literature.  His  political  speeches  were 
models  of  popular  oratory  and  his  literary  addresses  were 
compositions  of  chaste  excellence.  He  wrote  an  electric  edi- 
torial and  drafted  a  legislative  bill  with  equal  clearness  and 
brevity.  His  pen  and  his  tongue  were  of  equal  quality.  He 
used  both  with  equal  power.  He  wrote  much;  he  spoke 
more.  Everything  emanating  from  him  wore  his  own  like- 
ness. He  borrowed  from  no  man.  He  imitated  no  man 
and  no  man  could  imitate.     He  was  unique,  original,  won- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  2I9 

derful,  incomprehensible  unless  he  was  a  genius  with  facul- 
ties and  powers  of  extraordinary  and  exceptional  character. 
His  temper  was  admirable,  calm,  well-balanced,  serene.  He 
cared  less  for  trifles  than  any  man  I  ever  knew.  He  brushed 
them  away  as  a  lion  shakes  the  dust  from  his  mane.  In  this 
respect  he  was  a  giant.  He  was  like  Sampson,  breaking  the 
frail  withes  that  bound  his  limbs.  He  was  never  confused, 
rarely  impatient,  seldom  nervous,  never  weak.  He  was  mer- 
ciful in  the  extreme.  Suffering  touched  him  to  the  quick. 
He  was  compassion  itself  to  distress.  He  was  as  tender  as  a 
gentle  woman  to  the  young,  the  weak,  the  feeble.  He  was 
full  of  charity  to  all  men,  charitable  to  human  frailty  in 
every  shape  and  form  and  phase.  He  had  deep,  powerful 
impulses,  strong  and  passionate  resentments — in  the  heat  of 
conflict  he  was  inexorable,  but  his  generosity,  his  magna- 
nimity, his  sense  of  justice  was  deeper  and  stronger  and  bet- 
ter than  the  few  passing  passions  of  his  proud  nature.  To 
his  family  and  friends  he  was  all  tenderness  and  indulgence; 
His  great  heart  always  beat  in  duty,  with  sympathy,  with 
the  highest  chivalry  to  woman. 

"  The  man  that  lays  his  hand  upon  a  woman, 
Save  in  the  way  of  kindness,  is  a  wretch, 
Whom  't  were  great  flattery  to  name  a  coward," 

was  always  upon  his  lips. 

He  was  ambitious,  very  ambitious,  but  with  him  ambi- 
tion was  a  virtue.  He  aspired  to  be  great  that  he  might  be 
useful,  to  do  good,  to  improve  and  to  benefit  and  to  help 
mankind.  His  was  not  the  ambition  of  pride  and  arrogance 
and  of  power.  It  was  the  ambition  of  benevolence  and  phi- 
lanthropv,  the  ambition  to  elevate,  to  lift  up,  to  bless  human- 
ity. 

From  early  manhood  he  has  possessed  a  respectable  com- 
petence. At  no  time  did  he  ever  suffer  penury.  He  hus- 
banded with  great  care  his  resources  and  was  prudent,  fru- 
gal, thoughtful  in  his  expenditures,  but  he  never  turned  a 
deaf  ear  to  pity  or  to  sorrow.  He  was  not  avoricious;  he 
had  no"  love  for  money,  and  was  never  rich  in  gold,  silver, 


220  HISTORY   OF 

and  precious  stones  or  lands,  but  he  was  opulent  in  the  con- 
fidence and  affections  of  the  people.  His  great  wealth  was 
invested  in  the  attachments,  the  friendships,  the  faith,  the 
devotions  of  his  fellow  men ;  that  priceless  wealth  of  love  of 
the  heart,  of  the  soul,  which  no  money  can  purchase.  In 
many  respects  he  was  very  remarkable.  In  one  he  was  sin- 
gularly so.  He  never  affected  superiority  to  human  frailty. 
He  claimed  no  immunity  from  our  imperfection.  He  real- 
ized that  all  of  us  were  subject  to  the  same  conditions,  and 
he  regarded  and  practiced  humanity  as  a  cardinal  virtue  and 
duty. 

Senator  Vance  was  happy  in  his  married  life.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Newell 
Espey,  of  North  Carolina.  She  was  a  woman  of  high  intel- 
lectual endowments,  of  uncommon  moral  force,  of  exem- 
plary piety  and  exercised  a  great  influence  for  good  over 
her  devoted  husband,  which  lasted  during  his  life.  Their 
union  was  blessed  with  four  sons,  who  survived  their  par- 
ents. His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Florence  Steel  Martin,  of 
Kentucky,  a  lady  of  brilliant  intellect,  of  rare  grace  and  re- 
finement, who  adorned  his  life  and  shed  lustre  and  joy  on 
his  home;  and  after  his  course  was  finished,  he  fell  asleep 
in  her  arms.  He  loved  the  Bible  as  he  loved  no  other  book. 
All  of  his  reverence  was  for  his  God.  He  lived  a  patriot  and 
philanthropist,  and  he  died  a  Christian.  This  is  the  sum  of 
duty  and  honor.  He  has  gone.  His  massive  and  majestic 
form,  his  full,  flowing  white  locks,  his  playful,  twinkling 
eye,  his  calm  home-like  face,  his  indescribable  voice  have 
left  us  forever.  He  still  lives  in  our  hearts.  The  great 
Mirabeau,  in  his  dying  moments,  asked  for  music  and  for 
flowers,  and  for  perfumes  to  cheer  and  brighten  his  mortal 
eclipse.  Vance  died  blessed  with  the  fragrance  of  sweetest 
affections,  consecrated  by  the  holiest  love,  embalmed  in  the 
tears  and  sorrows  of  a  noble  people.  The  last  sounds  that 
struck  his  ear  were  the  echoes  of  their  applauses  and  grati- 
tude, and  his  eyes  closed  with  the  light  of  Christian  promise 
beaming  upon  his  soul. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  221 

On  the  night  of  the  i6th  of  April,  his  remains  were  borne 
towards  the  mountains  of  the  State  he  loved  so  well.  The 
night  was  beautiful;  the  white  stars  shed  forth  their  hal- 
lowed radiance  upon  earth  and  sky.  The  serenity  was 
lovely.  The  whole  heavens  almost  seem  a  happy  reunion  of 
the  constellations.  With  the  first  light  of  day  the  people, 
singly,  in  groups,  in  companies,  in  crowds,  in  multitudes, 
met  us  everywhere  along  the  way — both  sexes,  all  ages,  all 
races,  all  classes  and  all  conditions.  Their  sorrow  was  like 
the  gathering  clouds  in  morning,  ready  to  drop  every 
moment  in  showers.  We  carried  him  to  the  State  House  in 
Raleigh,  the  scene  of  his  greatest  trials  and  grandest 
triumphs;  the  heart  of  the  State  melted  over  her  dead  son. 
Her  brightest  jewel  had  been  taken  away.  We  left  Raleigh 
in  the  evening,  and  passing  over  the  Neuse,  over  the  Yadkin, 
over  the  Catawba,  up  to  the  summit  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  we 
placed  the  urn  with  its  noble  dust  on  the  brow  of  his  own 
mountain,  the  mountain  he  loved  so  well.  There  he  sleeps 
in  peace  and  honor.  On  that  exalted  spot  the  willow  and  the 
cypress,  emblems  of  sorrow  and  mourning,  cannot  grow, 
but  the  bay  and  the  laurel,  the  trees  of  fame,  will  there  flour- 
ish and  bloom  in  perpetual  beauty  and  glory.  There  will 
his  great  spirit  like  an  eternal  sentinel  of  liberty  and  truth 
keep  watch  over  his  people.  It  would  have  been  one  of  the 
supreme  joys  of  my  life  to  have  done  justice  to  the  life  and 
the  character  of  this  great  and  good  man,  to  have  enshrined 
his  memory  in  eloquence  like  his  own.  But  whatever  may 
have  been  the  faults  of  these  words,  I  have  spoken  from  a 
heart  full  of  sorrow  for  his  death,  and  throbbing  with  ad- 
miration and  pride  for  his  virtues." — Eulogy  by  Senator 
Ransom,  the  colleague  of  Senator  Vance  in  the  United 
States  Senate. 


Cetlvin  Eli  Grier. 

Calvin  Eli  Grier  was  born  in  Steele  Creek  Township 
on  the  30th  of  December,  1845.  He  was  the  son  of  Col. 
William  M.  Grier,  a  man  closely  identified  with  the  history 
of  this  county.  His  mother  was,  before  her  marriage.  Miss 
Feriba  Edwards,  a  daughter  of  Stouton  Edwards,  of  York 
county,  S.  C. 

Steele  Creek  has  been  noted  for  its  good  schools  and  its 
interest  in  education,  and  in  the  academy  near  his  father's 
home  Calvin  Grier  studied  until  his  fourteenth  year.  As  a 
boy  he  early  displayed  a  wonderful  versatility,  and  those 
who  were  his  companions  at  school  tell  of  his  progress  in  his 
studies  and  of  the  early  age  at  which  he  read  the  Latin 
classics. 

In  common  with  all  the  children  raised  in  Steele  Creek,  a 
center  of  Presbyterianism,  he  was  early  trained  to  study  the 
shorter  Catechism.  His  father,  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Assch 
ciate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  taught  him  to  per- 
fectly ask  and  answer  every  question  in  the  Catechism  be- 
fore he  was  four  years  old. 

In  1859,  General,  then  Major  D.  H.  Hill,  founded  his 
Military  Institute  in  Charlotte,  and  to  this  Calvin  Grier  was 
sent  as  soon  as  the  school  was  opened.  At  that  time  he  was 
only  fourteen,  but  he  was  a  thorough  student  and  the  reports 
he  received  were  most  excellent  ones. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  between  the  North  and 
the  South,  Gen.  Hill  closed  his  school.  Many  of  the  cadets 
were  made  officers  and  others  hastened  to  ofifer  their  ser- 
vices to  the  Confederacy. 

Calvin  Grier,  though  not  fifteen  years  of  age,  enlisted  in 
the  Ranalesburg  Rifles,  a  company  then  formed  largely  of 
Steele  Creek  men,  and  of  which  A.  A.  Erwin  was  captaift. 
It  seemed  most  appropriate  that  he  should  enlist  in  this  com- 
pany, for  Col.  Grier,  with  true  Southern  generosity,  had  con- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  223 

tributed  largely  of  his  means  in  equipping  this  company,  and 
so  liberal  was  he  to  it  during  the  war  that  some  of  the  men 
referred  to  him  as  the  "Father  of  the  Ranalesburg  Rifles." 

Young  Grier  remained  with  the  company  for  one  year, 
but  at  the  end  of  that  time  was  sent  home  on  accouiiit  of 
his  extreme  youth.  But  brave  and  ambitious,  he  could  not 
bear  to  remain  at  home  inactive  while  his  companions  were 
dying  in  defence  of  the  South,  so  in  1862  he  enlisted  again, 
this  time  in  Graham's  Battery,  which  had  been  organized 
in  Charlotte.  He  served  with  this  battery  but  a  short  while, 
being  transferred  to  his  first  command,  where  he  remained 
till  the  close  of  the  war. 

When  the  conflict  was  over,  though  only  19  years  of  age, 
Capt.  Grier  was  acting  Adjutant-General  of  Scales'  Brigade, 
and  had  made  a  wonderful  record  for  courage  and  daring. 
During  the  war  he  was  seven  times  wounded,  being  shot 
through  and  through  the  body  on  two  occasions,  once  at  Bar- 
nett's  Ford  and  again  at  Reams'  Station. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Calvin  Grier  returned  home  to 
find  his  circumstances  terribly  altered.  In  place  of  wealth, 
he  had  poverty,  and  instead  of  vigorous,  young  manhood, 
he  had  a  wrecked  constitution,  the  result  of  the  wounds 
from  which  he  suffered  all  his  life. 

With  a  heroism  as  great  as  that  he  displayed  in  battle,  he 
took  up  his  round  of  duties  on  his  father's  farm.  In  1866  he 
began  the  study  of  law.  All  day  he  would  plow  on  the  farm 
and  at  night  he  would  remain  up  late  reading  his  law  books. 
Once  a  week  he  came  to  Charlotte  and  recited  to  Osborne 
and  Barringer. 

In  spite  of  the  obstacles  with  which  he  had  to  contend  he 
made  such  rapid  strides  in  his  studies  that  at  the  end  of  a 
year  he  stood  his  examination  and  received  his  license  to 
practice  law. 

In  1868  he  moved  to  Charlotte  and  began  the  practice  of 
his  profession.  He  formed  a  partnership  with  Capt.  Armis- 
tead  Burwell,  but  in  about  a  year  decided  to  locate  in  Dallas. 

In   1872  he  returned  to  Steele  Creek,  broken  down  in 


224  HISTORY   OF 

health,  but  in  1876  he  moved  back  to  Charlotte,  where  he 
made  his  home  until  the  time  of  his  death.  For  a  number 
of  years  he  was  the  law  partner  of  Judge  W.  P.  Bynum,  and 
for  some  time  he  was  solicitor  of  the  Inferior  Court  of 
Mecklenburg  county. 

In  187,8  he  was  married  to  Miss  Addie  Ramseur,  of  Lin- 
colnton,  a  sister  of  the  gallant  Major-General,  Stephen  D. 
Ranseur. 

In  1889,  on  the  ist  of  May,  Capt.  Grier  died  and  was 
buried  in  Steele  Creek  cemetery,  where  rest  his  father, 
grand-father  and  great-grand-father. 

Nothing  can  be  more  appropriate  than  to  quote  what  his 
friend,  Mr.  F.  B.  McDowell,  says  of  him  in  his  article  on 
Steele  Creek :  "As  I  write  of  another  the  pen  falters.  He 
■was  so  young,  so  generous,  so  gifted.  His  life,  too,  was  so 
pathetic,  and  his  existence  seemed  to  end  almost  before  it 
fairly  began.  If  the  war  called  some  from  the  portals  of  the 
grave,  it  took  others  almost  from  the  cradle.  A  mere  strip- 
ling boy  went  forth  as  a  volunteer.  Intrepid  as  a  Hampden, 
as  daring  as  a  Ney,  he  was  twice  shot  through  the  body  upon 
the  enemy's  breastworks,  within  touch  of  his  guns.  He 
brought  back  from  the  field  painful  wounds  and  a  wrecked 
constitution;  but  with  all  his  suffering  he  was  an  admirable 
companion  and  a  natural  leader  and  adviser  of  men ;  and  no 
young  man  in  this  section  and  of  this  generation  left  a 
deeper  impress  of  admiration  and  sympathy  upon  those  who 
knew  him  best,  than  Calvin  E.  Grier." — Contributed  by  Miss 
Feriba  Grier. 


Matthew  Wa^llaLce  a.nd  His  Family. 

The  people  of  Mecklenburg  probably  know  less  of  this 
family  than  any  family  of  equal  mental  ability  that  ever  lived 
in  the  county.  Matthev;^  Wallace  came  from  Western  Penn- 
sylvania a  young  man,  and  married  a  Miss  Young,  daughter 
cf  Joseph  Young,  who  with  his  brother  William,  emigrated 
from  the  north  of  Ireland  to  Pennsylvania;  after  remaining 
in  Pennsylvania  one  year,  removed  to  Mecklenburg,  North 
Carolina,  in  or  about  the  year  1765.  Mr.  Matthew  Wallace 
lived  and  died  a  close  neighbor  to  old  Mr.  Andrew  Hender- 
son (on  the  creek  a  short  distance  above  the  mill).  He  had 
eight  children,  viz. :  Kesiah,  Minty,  Harriet,  Eveline,  Ru- 
fus,  Pinkney,  Joseph  and  Newton.  Harriet  married  James 
P.  Henderson.  They  raised  three  sons,  Philo,  Matthew 
(who  died  when  a  boy),  and  Thomas — none  ever  married. 
The  two  daughters  married.  Martha  married  E.  L. 
Burney  and  Lilly  married  J.  C.  Caldwell,  of  Winsboro.  S.  C. 
Minty  married  David  Henderson,  and  had  two  children. 
C.  A.  Henderson,  M.  D.,  who  died  (childless)  a  few  years 
ago  in  Greenville,  S.  C.  He  had  been  married  twice,  but 
left  no  issue.  Margaret  married  Dr.  Frank  McRee.  They 
had  but  one  living  child,  who  married  Mr.  J.  G.  Shannon- 
house,  of  Charlotte.  Eveline  married  Samuel  M.  Moore, 
and  but  one  child  reached  adult  age — ^John  W.  Moore.  Ru- 
fus  Wallace  studied  medicine,  practiced  in  Charlotte,  was  a 
brilliant  young  man,  never  married,  and  died  young. 

Matthew  Wallace  was  a  prominent  man  in  the  county  in 
his  day;  was  a  surveyor  of  land,  which  at  that  time  brought 
him  prominently  before  the  people.  He  was  also'  a  magis- 
trate for  a  long  time,  and  chairman  of  the  old  County  Court. 
He  at  one  time  sentenced  a  man  to  stand  in  the  stocks  for 
tvvo  hours.  The  sheriff  told  the  worshipful  court  the  stocks 
were  not  in  fix  to  hold  him.  The  chairman  replied  :  "Fasten 
him  in  the  crack  of  the  fence,  and  do  it  at  once."    The  order 


226  HISTORY   OF 

was  promptly  obeyed.  He  was  said  to  have  been  the  prime 
mover  in  having  the  court  house  removed  from  the  public 
square  to  West  Trade  street,  as  Mr.  Alex.  McAulay  was  the 
prime  mover  to  have  the  new  court  house  built  on  the  site 
of  Queen's  Museum,  on  South  Try  on  street. 

Mr.  Wallace  and  his  children  are  buried  in  the  old  grave- 
yard at  Sugar  Creek  church. 

Mr.  Matthew  Wallace's  wife  must  have  been  a  remarkably 
brainy  woman.  At  this  late  day  it  is  impossible  to  get  an 
insight  into  her  mental  capacity;  but  it  is  beyond  question 
that  the  Yotmg  family  were  equal  to  if  not  superior  to  the 
Wallaces.  Her  three  daughters  who  lived  to  be  grown  and 
married,  were  far  beyond  mediocracy.  James  P.  Hender- 
son's children  were  all  exceedingly  bright,  and  very  hand- 
some. Philo  was  quite  a  poet,  was  a  gifted  writer,  had  been 
graduated  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  A  younger 
brother,  "Tom,"  as  he  was  called  by  every  one,  took  the  first 
honor  at  Davidson,  and  then  at  Cambridge;  was  a  great 
reader  of  books,  never  entered  a  profession;  joined  the  Con- 
iederate  army  in  1861,  went  through  the  war  as  a  private, 
when  there  were  few  men  in  Lee's  army,  would  compare 
with  him  in  scholarship.  He  made  a  good  soldier;  came 
heme  and  kept  books  for  a  mercantile  house.  David  Hen- 
derson's son  and  daughter  were  observed  by  the  community 
as  a  head  and  shoulder  above  the  compeers  in  intellectual 
attainments.  The  same  was  observed  in  Samuel  Moore's 
children.  His  daughter  Lizzie's  praises  were  in  the  mouth 
of  all  who  knew  her.  She  died  when  budding  into  woman- 
hood. John  W.  Moore  was  deemed  worthy  to  represent 
the  county  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State.  The  name  of 
Wallace — of  that  family  at  least — is  now  obsolete;  but  col- 
lateral branches,  carrying  the  same  blood,  are  still  inhabi- 
tants of  Mecklenburg. 


CoLptain  John  Randolph  Crwin. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  ist  day  of 
August,  1838,  in  Bethesda  township,  York  county,  S.  C. 
He  was  a  son  of  WilHam  L.  and  Annie  Williamson  Erwin, 
who  belonged  to  the  old  Scotch-Irish  families  who  emi- 
grated to  this  country  before  the  Revolution. 

Capt.  Erwin  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  was  educated  in 
the  old  field  schools,  except  two  sessions  spent  at  an  academy 
in  Ebenezer,  S.  C. 

In  185 1  William  Erwin  moved  to  Mecklenburg  county, 
North  Carolina,  locating  at  Ranalesburg,  Steele  Creek 
Township,  and  from  that  time  Mecklenburg  was  Capt. 
Erwin's  home. 

In  the  fall  of  1856  he  entered  the  general  merchandise 
store  of  Fisher,  Burroughs  &  Co.,  of  Charlotte,  and  re- 
mained with  that  firm  until  the  winter  of  1859.  Then  he  de- 
cided to  improve  his  fortunes  by  going  West,  so  he  went  to 
Texas  with  a  party  trading  on  the  Rio  Grande.  He  re- 
mained there  until  South  Carolina  passed  the  ordinance  of 
secession,  when  he  sacrificed  his  business  and  returned  to 
his  home.  He  volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  Ranalesburg 
Rifles,  but  his  popularity  soon  won  for  him  the  position  of 
First  Lieutenant  of  his  company.  Soon  after  organization 
this  company  was  ordered  to  the  camp  of  instruction  at 
Raleigh,  and  was  at  the  capital  when  North  Carolina  seceded 
on  May  20,  1861.  The  company  was  then  ordered  to  Garys- 
burg,  N.  C,  where  he  was  made  adjutant  of  the  post  by 
Col.  W,  D.  Pender.  Here  it  was  that  the  Third,  afterwards 
the  Thirteenth  Regiment  of  North  Carolina  Volunteers, 
was  organized,  and  Capt.  Erwin  was  selected  as  Major  of 
the  regiment.  Owing  to  the  absence  of  his  captain,  who 
had  been  wounded,  and  to  the  earnest  entreaties  of  his  men, 
he  declined  this  honor  and  remained  with  the  company. 

The  company  was  sent  from  Garysburg  to  Suffolk,  Va., 


228  HISTORY    OF 

and  from  there  to  Todd's  Point,  on  the  James  river,  where 
they  spent  the  summer.  In  the  fall  the  company  was  sent  on 
detached  duty  to  Ragged  Island,  opposite  Newport  News, 
and  was  in  camp  there  and  witnessed  the  naval  engage- 
ment of  1 86 1  in  which  the  warships  Cumberland  and  Con- 
gress were  destroyed.  In  the  spring  of  1862  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  the  peninsula  near  Yorktown,  to  hold  in 
check  the  advance  of  Gen.  McClellan. 

In  April  of  that  year  he  was  elected  captain  of  a  cavalry 
company,  organized  in  Charlotte  by  Maj.  M.  N.  Hart. 

After  equipping  and  drilling  his  company  at  the  old  fair 
grounds  at  Charlotte,  Capt.  Erwin  was  ordered  to  join 
Evan's  Battalion  at  Kinston,  N.  C.  In  the  winter  of  1862 
the  battalion  was  ordered  to  Garysburg,  where  the  Fifth 
Cavalry  Regiment  was  formed;  this  regiment  was  sent  to 
Virginia  in  1863,  and  took  part  in  the  memorable  campaign 
of  Gettysburg.  When  the  regiment  went  to  Virginia  Capt. 
Erwin  was  left  at  Garysburg  with  typhoid  fever,  and  did 
not  rejoin  his  men  until  they  returned  to  Culpepper  Court 
House,  where  the  famous  North  Carolina  brigade,  composed 
of  the  First,  Second,  Third  and  Fifth  Cavalry,  was  organ- 
ized. This  brigade  was  commanded  by  the  gallant  Gor- 
don until  his  death  in  front  of  the  breast  works  near  Rich- 
mond in  1864,  when  Gen.  Rufus  Barringer  took  charge  of 
the  brigade.  In  this  command  Capt.  Erwin  served  till  the 
close  of  the  war,  taking  part  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his 
regiment  was  engaged.  At  the  bloody  battle  of  Chamber- 
lain Run  his  colonel,  McNeil,  and  Lieut.-Col.  Shaw  were 
both  killed,  and  Maj.  Galloway  being  sick,  the  command  of 
the  regiment  devolved  on  him  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
did  not  surrender  his  regiment,  but  marched  it  back  to 
North  Carolina,  and  in  Charlotte  he  received  from  John  C. 
Breckenridge,  Secretary  of  War,  an  order  to  disband  his 
company. 

After  the  war  Capt.  Erwin  again  entered  the  mercantile 
field  as  a  clerk  for  Taylor  &  Duncan,  which  position  he  held 
for  two  years.    On  the  5th  of  June,  1867,  he  was  married  to 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  229 

Miss  Jennie,  a  daughter  of  Maj.  Z.  A.  Grier,  of  Steele 
Creek.  In  January,  1868,  Capt.  Erwin  moved  to  Steele 
Creek  and  began  the  life  of  a  farmer.  In  January,  1873, 
he  returned  to  Charlotte  and  accepted  a  position  with  W. 
H.  Houston,  a  wholesale  grocery  merchant.  In  May,  1873, 
Capt.  Erwin  was  elected  city  marshal,  or  chief  of  police, 
which  office  he  held  until  April,  1875,  when  he  was  ap^- 
pointed  by  D.  Schenck,  judge  of  this  district,  clerk  of  the 
Superior  Court  of  Mecklenburg  county,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  for  twelve  years. 

Upon  his  retirement  the  following  tribute  was  paid  him 
by  Col.  H.  C.  Jones,  at  the  close  of  Capt.  Erwin's  last  court : 

"I  desire  to  call  your  honor's  attention  to  the  fact  that  the 
term  of  office  of  our  much  esteemed  clerk,  Capt.  Erwin, 
is  about  to  close.  It  has  been  many  years  since  he  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  in  all  that  time  he  has  dis- 
charged them  so  efficiently,  with  so  much  fidelity  to  the  im- 
portant trust  committed  to  him,  with  such  patience  and  in- 
dustry, with  such  kindness  and  courtesy  to  the  members  of 
the  bar,  that  I  know  I  speak  their  sentiments  when  I  say  we 
part  from  him  with  feelings  of  affectionate  regret.  He 
came  to  the  position  entirely  without  experience  and  with- 
out any  acquaintance  with  the  business  that  his  office  de- 
volved upon  him,  but  he  devoted  himself  to  the  task  with 
such  patient  industry  that  he  soon  became,  what  I  now  pro^ 
nounce  him,  one  of  the  best — if  not  the  very  best — clerks 
within  the  limits  of  this  State." 

In  May,  1878.  Capt.  Erwin's  wife  died,  and  on  the  i  ith  of 
December,  1879,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sallie,  daughter  of 
Col.  William  M.  Grier,  of  Steele  Creek,  and  a  sister  of 
Calvin  E.  Grier,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Charlotte,  who  died 
in  1889. 

After  leaving  the  clerk's  office,  he  retired  to  his  farm  in 
Steele  Creek,  where  he  had  made  large  investments  in  a 
milling  plant. 

In  1888  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  Finance  Commit- 
tee of  the  county,  which  position  he  held  until  1892,  when 


230  HISTORY   OF 

he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature.  Although 
his  first  experience  as  a  law-maker,  he  at  once  took  a  promn 
inent  position  and  was  the  chairman  or  a  member  of  several 
committees. 

In  August,  1893,  he  accepted  a  position  as  private  secre- 
tary to  Congressman  S.  B.  Alexander,  and  spent  two  years 
in  the  City  of  Washington.  In  1895  he  moved  back  to 
Charlotte  and  in  the  same  year  was  made  chairman  of  the 
Board  of  County  Commissioners,  During  his  administra- 
tion and  through  his  influence,  the  first  iron  bridges  were 
erected  for  the  county  of  Mecklenburg.  He  was  also  chair- 
man of  the  committee  which  had  in  charge  the  building  of 
the  Mecklenburg  county  court  house. 

On  the  19th  of  March,  1901,  while  seated  in  the  court 
house  in  Charlotte,  he  died  very  suddenly,  and  was  laid  to 
rest  "in  the  old  cemetery  at  Steele  Creek. 

During  the  war  he  had  made  an  enviable  record  as  a  sol- 
dier, and  to  all  who  knew  him  his  name  was  a  synonym  for 
honor  and  uprightness. — Contributed  by  Miss  P.  Grier. 


K""  'i^.; 


^€S8|  <^ 


c3^^f^^^^  -^'  C^^-^^if^^'t^ 


Hon.  James  W.  Osborne. 

This  section  is  headed  by  one  of  the  greatest  men  the 
country  has  ever  produced,  and  no  better  eulogy  can  be  pro- 
nounced than  the  following,  written  by  Gen.  D,  H.  Hill : 

"The  nations  of  the  earth,  the  most  distinguished  in  his- 
tory, for  prowess  in  the  field,  wisdom  in  legislation,  progress 
in  science  and  art,  purity  of  taste  in  polite  literature,  and 
refinement  in  the  social  circle,  are  precisely  those  wliich 
have  most  cherished  the  memory  of  their  heroes,  statesmen, 
scholars  and  patriots.  It  has  been  well  said  that  the  land 
that  erects  no  monuments  to  its  illustrious  dead,  will  soon 
cease  to  produce  men  worthy  of  a  place  in  history.  To 
neglect  departed  greatness  is  to  degrade  living  eminence. 

"The  Bible,  with  its  wonderful  adaptation  to  the  wants  of 
our  race,  sanctions  cherishing  tender  recollections  of  the 
saints  of  the  Lord.  'The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting 
remembrance.'  'The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.'  Here 
we  have  a  prophecy  and  a  command,  both  involving  a  high 
obligation  and  a  glorious  privilege — to  keep  fresh  and  green 
in  the  minds  of  men  the  memory  of  those  who  died  in  the 
full  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality." 

And  thus  the  friends  of  the  late  Hon.  J.  W.  Osborne 
feel  that  in  attempting  a  tribute  to  his  exalted  worth,  they 
are  discharging  a  sad  but  gracious  duty.  It  is  meet  that 
we  should  revere  the  memory  of  a  man  of  mighty  intellect, 
of  profound  scholarship,  and  of  matchless  eloquence,  who 
brought  all  of  his  rare  and  varied  gifts  and  accomplish- 
ments and  laid  them  as  an  humble  offering  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  There  remains  nothing  now  of  his  manly  person 
and  noble  mein,  of  his  vast  learning  and  attainments,  but 

"  The  knell,  the  shroud,  the  coffin  and  the  grave, 
The  deep,  damp  vault ;  the  darkness  and  the  worm." 

His  simple  faith  in  Christ  was  worth  a  thousand-fold 
more  than  all  his  talents  and  acquirements,  and  the  lesson 


232  HISTORY   OF 

of  his  life  comes  home  to  every  bosom,  "With  all  your 
gettings,  get  understanding."  We  can  now  think  with 
grateful  satisfaction  that  those  great  powers  of  mind,  which 
were  our  pride  and  astonishment  on  earth,  are  ever  expand- 
ing in  knowledge,  ever  getting  new  revelations  of  Divine 
love  and  ever  attaining  new  degrees  of  holiness.  The  sad- 
dest sight  on  our  afflicted  earth  is  that  of  a  man  of  great 
gifts,  culture  and  refinement,  living  out  of  Christ  and  delib- 
erately choosing  to  spend  his  eternity  with  the  coarse,  the 
brutal  and  the  depraved.  With  heartfelt  gratitude,  we 
adore  that  distinguished  love  which  made  our  illustrious 
countryman  choose  that  good  part  which  shall  not  be  taken 
away.  Judge  Osborne  was  born  in  Salisbury,  N.  C,  on  the 
25th  of  December,  181 1,  and  died  in  Charlotte  on  the  nth 
day  of  August,  1869,  so  that  he  hardly  passed  the  meridian 
of  life,  and  until  a  short  time  before  his  death,  "His  eye 
was  not  dim,  nor  his  natural  force  abated."  He  was  a 
graduate  of  our  State  University  at  Chapel  Hill.  He  was 
always  an  earnest  student,  devoted  especially  to  the  sciences. 
The  extent  and  variety  of  his  reading  was  truly  marvel- 
ous. There  was  scarcely  a  subject  he  had  not  looked  into, 
if  indeed  he  had  not  mastered  it.  Few  clergymen  outside 
of  our  theological  seminaries  were  so  well  read  in  theology. 
He  said  on  one  occasion  that  there  was  a  charm  about  the 
study  of  theology  that  no  other  reading  possessed  for  him, 
and  he  devoured  huge  volumes  of  theologic  lore  with  the 
most  eager  relish.  Fluency  of  speech  was  a  natural  gift 
with  Judge  Osborne,  and  this,  combined  with  his  vast  ac- 
quaintance with  books,  made  his  language  the  very  choicest 
Anglo-Saxon.  His  warm-hearted,  genial,  pleasant  man- 
ner, and  bright,  kindly  face  added  a  charm  to  the  whole, 
which  was  absolute.  He  had  no  equal  as  a  conversational- 
ist, and  his  intimate  friends  can  never  forget  the  grace  and 
fascination  of  his  address.  And  so  his  ready  command  of 
the  best  words,  his  learning,  his  enthusiasm,  his  sonorous 
voice  and  graceful  delivery,  made  him  one  of  the  very  first 
orators  in  the  land.     The  magic  spell  thrown  around  Judge 


Mi;CKI.ENBURG   COUNTY.  233 

Osborne  in  the  social  circle  and  on  the  hustings  was  his  im- 
perturbable good  temper,  and  that  proceeded  from  his  large- 
hearted  humanity,  his  sincere  and  unaffected  love  for  his 
race.  He  had  a  kind  word  and  a  pleasant  smile  for  every- 
body, simply  because  he  loved  mankind.  He  needed  not  a 
veil  of  charity  to  cover  their  crimes  and  frailties ;  in  his  own 
simple  guilelessness  he  did  not  know  their  faults.  Those 
who  had  known  him  for  thirty  and  forty  years,  say  that 
they  never  saw  him  angry.  He  had  not  an  enemy  among 
the  people  with  whom  he  lived  since  early  manhood.  The 
most  remarkable  thing  in  the  career  of  this  great  man  was 
the  hold  he  had  upon  the  hearts  of  men  of  every  creed  and 
party,  although  in  his  official  capacity  he  had  often  been 
opposed  to  the  interests  and  wishes  of  the  many. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Charlotte  in  the  year  1833. 
He  took  a  high  stand  in  his  profession  at  the  very  outset 
and  maintained  it  while  he  lived.  This  was  not  due  merely 
to  his  genius,  his  learning,  and  his  eloquence,  but  in  a  large 
degree  to  his  unselfish  and  sympathetic  nature,  which  made 
him  adopt  his  client's  cause  as  his  own  and  identify  himself 
thoroughly  with  the  interest,  the  views  and  feelings  of  the 
client.  He  was  twice  elector  for  the  State  at  large,  first  in 
the  Clay  campaign  and  then  in  the  contest  between  Seymour 
and  Grant.  He  was  appointed  by  President  Fillmore  super- 
intendent of  the  United  States  Mint  at  Charlotte,  which 
he  held  for  four  years.  He  was  chosen  by  Gov.  Ellis  to 
fill  a  vacant  judgeship  in  1859,  and  the  General  Assembly 
confirmed  the  selection  November  26,  i860.  But  it  is  as 
the  Christian  gentleman,  we  love  to  think  of  our  illustrious 
statesman.  He  was  sincerely  and  unaffectedly  devout;  a 
lover  of  God  and  man.  We  who  were  in  the  belt  of  the 
late  total  eclipse  of  the  sun,  observed  a  black  spot  projected 
on  the  lower  limb  of  the  sun.  Gradually,  the  dark  shadow 
crept  higher  and  higher.  The  cattle  came  lowing  home. 
The  bewildered  fowls  of  the  air  sought  their  roosts.  The 
black  spot  crept  higher  and  higher,  until  darkness  covered 
the  sky,  with  here  and  there  a  star  sending  forth  a  ghastly 


234  HISTORY    OF 

and  unnatural  light.  Then  the  sun,  like  a  mighty  giant, 
threw  off  the  black  mantle  and  came  forth  in  all  his  strength, 
beauty  and  majesty,  rejoicing  our  hearts  with  some  glorious 
beams  that  had  been  hid  for  a  time.  And  thus,  as  our  friend 
was  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  we  contemplate  his  death 
as  a  temporary  eclipse,  and  believed  that  when  the  shadows 
of  earth  have  passed  away,  the  brilliant  intellect  that  dazzled 
us  below,  will  shine  out  with  renewed  effulgence  above. 

REV.   JOHN   HUNTER. 

Of  this  worthy  pioneer  have  descended  a  number  of  min- 
isters of  the  Associated  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 

Rev.  John  Hunter  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Hunter,  a  godly 
and  pious  man.  He  first  saw  the  light  in  Mecklenburg 
county,  N.  C,  November  13,  1814.  Graduating  at  Jeffer- 
son, Pa.,  September,  1841,  license  was  granted  by  the  First 
Presbytery  April  17,  1843.  His  first  pastorate  was  over 
Back  Creek,  Prosperity  and  Gilead,  this  county,  being  sol- 
emnly ordained  and  installed  July  24,  1844.  For  three  years 
beginning  in  1855,  he  served  a  colony  mostly  of  Mecklen- 
burgers  in  Alleghany  county,  N.  C.  In  September,  1858, 
he  began  his  ministry  at  Sardis  and  was  formerly  installed 
January  11,  1859. 

His  ministry  was  very  successful.  To  the  west  in  1874, 
Ebenezer  was  built,  now  self-suppporting  and  ministered 
unto  by  the  able  and  judicious  Dr.  G.  R.  White. 

On  the  east  in  1886,  Thyatira  was  erected.  In  this  new 
and  incompleted  building  occurred  his  death  stroke  and  last 
effort  to  preach.  In  March,  1886,  after  singing  and  prayer, 
Luther,  infant  of  Annie  and  E.  B.  Williams,  was  baptized. 
His  text,  I  Cor.,  13:13,  was  given  out,  but  after  proceeding 
a  few  minutes,  his  voice  faltered  and  ran  lower.  As  he 
seemed  to  be  falling,  his  son.  Dr.  L.  W.  Hunter,  and  others 
eased  him  down.  Being  partially  paralized,  he  succeeded  in 
making  them  understand  he  wanted  the  23rd  Psalm  sung. 
This  was  the  first  service  in  Thyatira,  and  his  last  effort  to 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  235 

preach — a  dedication  of  sacrifice.  He  lingered  for  some 
four  years  ripening  for  that  heaven  to  which  he  had  so  often 
directed  sorrowing  hearts  and  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  May  i6, 
1890.  He  was  thrice  married.  First  to  Miss  Isabella  H. 
Peoples  July  i8,  1843.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Mrs. 
Martha  Simonton  Bell  December  10,  1861.  A  third  mar- 
riage was  contracted  with  Miss  Mary  Ann  McDill  October 
9,  1866.  Rev.  John  Hunter  had  much  of  the  spirit  of  John 
Knox,  fearless,  with  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  consci- 
entious and  scrupulously  upright  in  his  dealings,  popular  as 
a  preacher  and  loyal  to  his  church,  he  lived  respected  and 
trusted  and  died  devout,  men  carried  his  mortal  remains  to 
the  grave  and  made  great  lamentations  over  him. 

THE   HUNTER   EAMILY. 

Rev.  William  May  Hunter,  son  of  R.  B,  and  Rebecca  W. 
Hunter,  was  born  February  i,  1850;  sought  the  ministry 
from  inclination ;  took  a  full  course,  literary  and  theological, 
at  Due  West,  S.  C.  Dr.  W.  M.  Grier  gave  him  a  diploma 
July  10,  1872,  the  First  Presbytery  license  September  8, 
1874,  and  the  same  court  ordaination  in  the  chapel,  Char- 
lotte, N.  C,  October  19,  1875.  The  first  three  years  were 
spent  in  Charlotte,  reinforced  with  a  judicious  help  meet 
and  prudent  wife  September  11,  1877,  one  year  was  spent 
in  Georgia;  ten  years  in  Iredell  county,  N.  C,  as  pastor  of 
Stirling  and  Elk  Shoal ;  ten  more  years  in  Mecklenburg  as 
pastor  of  Prosperity  and  in  the  faculty  of  the  Huntersville 
High  School,  and  also  Gilead.  He  now  is  stated  supply  of 
Lebanon,  Monroe  county,  West  Virginia. 

Robert  Boston  Hunter,  lately  gone  to  his  reward,  July  17, 
1902,  aged  83  years,  11  months  and  8  days,  wedded  Janu- 
ary 9,  1845,  to  Rebecca  Wilson  Jones,  a  woman  of  tireless 
energy  and  devoted  piety.  They  climbed  in  fortune  and 
favor,  zeal  for  the  church  and  devotion  to  their  children. 
One  characteristic  of  R.  B.  Hunter  was  his  choice  of  good 
company.    He  abhorred  the  low  and  the  base.     To  his  hos^ 


236  HISTORY   OF 

pitable  home  he  welcomed  piety  and  intelligence.  Another 
was  his  tireless  industry.  If  he  prospered,  it  was  the  reward 
of  toil  and  foresight.  He  and  his  devoted  wife  were  ex- 
ceedingly zealous  that  their  children  be  trained  in  hand, 
mind  and  heart  for  life.  The  poor  did  not  stretch  out  their 
hands  to  him  in  vain,  the  wives  of  soldiers  in  the  Civil  War 
were  the  special  objects  of  his  favor. — Contributed  by  Rev. 
IV.  M.  Hunter. 

[The  first  of  the  large  Hunter  family  that  came  to  this 
country,  that  is  to  Mecklenburg  county,  was  about  1760. 
Like  all  others,  they  followed  farming,  and  were  not  differ- 
ent from  other  people.  They  have  made  wonderful  strides 
in  education  in  the  last  fifty  years.  They  are  a  quiet,  law- 
abiding  people.  Prosperity  is  one  of  their  oldest  churches. — 
Editor.] 


^he  Descendants  of  Some  of  the  Fatnxous  Men 
Who  Fought  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

"bIvACK  BILLY'^  ALEXANDER. 

Daniel  Alexander,  son  of  "Black  Billy,"  was  a  man  of 
wonderful  energy.  He  was  a  farmer  of  more  than  ordinary 
capacity;  but  was  unfortunate  financially,  having  large 
amounts  of  security  debts  tO'  pay.  While  a  young  man  he 
courted  and  married  Miss  Susan  Shelby.  He  then  lived 
within  the  bounds  of  Sugar  Creek.  He  had  three  sons,  viz., 
Mark,  Frank  and  Winslow ;  they  also  had  three  daughters. 
Isabella  married,  first,  Mr.  Charles  Moss,  to  whom  she  bore 
one  son  (who  now  lives  in  Charlotte),  and  soon  afterwards 
he  died,  leaving  her  a  blooming  young  widow.  She  was 
very  pretty,  and  was  much  courted.  She  married  her  second 
husband,  Mr.  Joab  Smith,  with  whom  she  lived  pleasantly 
for  many  years.  Their  children — some  of  whom  live  in 
Charlotte,  Mrs.  M.  F.  Kirby,  is  a  worthy  descendant.  Mar- 
garet married  Mr.  M.  D.  Johnston,  who  was  a  professor  of 
Mathematics  at  Davidson  College.  He  was  a  man  of  fine 
learning  and  eminent  piety.  They  left  a  small  family.  Mr. 
D.  A.  Johnston,  two  miles  east  of  the  city,  is  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  that  excellent  family.  Martha,  the  youngest  of 
the  family,  married  John  T.  Harry,  in  1853,  and  moved 
West.     She  had  but  one  child — a  daughter — and  died. 

Of  the  boys  we  know  but  little.  Winslow  moved  West, 
lived  in  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Memphis,  and  back  to  Ashe- 
ville,  keeping  a  hotel.  He  married  Margaret  Alexander 
from  near  Rocky  River.  He  had  two  sons,  the  eldest, 
Charles  Carrol,  was  probably  the  brightest  young  man  ever 
graduated  at  Davidson  up  to  his  time,  1853.  He  died  young 
in  Florida.  Col.  Winslow  Alexander  moved  back  to  Char- 
lotte in  the  early  sixties.  His  daughter  Laura  married  CapL 
W.  B.  Taylor,  at  present  city  tax  collector.  They  have  raised 


238  HISTORY    OF 

a  family  that  the  city  is  proud  of.  Mrs,  Taylor  finished  her 
course  about  a  year  ag'o,  and  left  her  husband  surrounded 
with  grown  children  and  a  multitude  of  friends.  Mark  Alex- 
ander moved  West  and  left  no  son  or  daughter  to  keep  his 
name  in  remembrance.  Franklin  married  a  Miss  Gilmer,  a 
sister  of  the  well-known  Drs.  James  and  Samuel  Gilmer. 
They  left  three  boys  and  two  girls.  One  of  the  sons  died  a 
short  time  ago;  one  lives  in  Alabama,  and  one,  R.  B.  Alex- 
ander, lives  in  Charlotte.  Mr.  Daniel  Alexander  once  en- 
gaged in  cultivating  the  morus  multicaulus,  to  feed  silk 
worms;  he  had  a  large  orchard  planted  west  of  Church 
street.  From  1838  to  1845,  it  was  quite  fashionable  to  en^ 
gage  in  silk  culture.  But  no  glowing  reports  were  ever  put 
out  after  1845.  About  this  time  he  moved  to  Davidson 
College  and  kept  a  large  boarding  house — students  princi- 
pally, his  price  being  six  dollars  per  month — and  he  made 
money  at  it.  This  was  in  1850-54.  These  were  good  peo- 
ple, and  were  valuable  citizens.  Four  miles  north  of  Char- 
lotte Isaac  Alexander's  widow  lived  in  1846,  where  a  Miss 
Chamberlain  taught  a  large  female  school  for  several  years, 
with  great  satisfaction;  but  she  married  a  merchant  of 
Charlotte,  Mr,  R.  C.  Carson,  a  Christian  gentleman.  The 
widow,  Anabella,  married  old  "'Uncle'  Dan  Alexander, 
who  had  become  a  widower,  and  they  too  soon  passed  away. 

THE  HENDERSON   FAMILY. 

In  or  about  the  year  1750,  Kearns  Henderson  and  Eliza- 
beth Robinson,  who  were  married  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  November  14,  1749  (copied  from  marriage 
certificate)  moved  to  this  section  ten  or  twelve  years  before 
Mecklenburg  county  was  established.  It  is  presumed  that 
farming  was  the  principal  pursuit.  They  had  three  sons, 
but  no  daughters  are  mentioned.  Andrew  grew  up  with 
those  stern,  prominent  features  that  were  characteristic  of 
the  times  in  which  they  lived.  Andrew,  it  is  strange  to  say, 
also  married,  like  his  father,  Elizabeth  Robinson.     They 


MECKI.ENBURG   COUNTY.  239 

were  of  no  relation ;  it  was  a  mere  coincidence.  Tliis  was  in 
1780.  They  were  blessed  with  two  sons  and  seven  daught- 
ers. They  reached  a  ripe  age,  and  filled  a  good  position  in 
church,  as  well  as  citizens  of  the  country.  Their  daughters 
were  as  follows:  Mary  married  William  Alexander.  He 
was  known  as  "Blind  Billy"  Alexander.  They  had  one  son, 
Harvey,  who  never  married;  two  daughters,  who  were 
twins,  Teressa  married  Wm.  B.  Alexander,  and  Clarissa 
married  Harper  Kerns.  Both  had  families.  Nancy,  Mar- 
garet, Elizabeth,  Griswold,  never  married,  but  continued  at 
the  old  homestead  till  death.  Jane  married  Birch  Cheshire, 
and  left  two  sons.  Harriet  married  John  R.  Alexander. 
She  was  certainly  one  of  the  most  devotedly  pious  women 
that  our  country  possessed.  Their  family  was  noted  for 
energy  and  good  deeds.  Their  daughter  Amanda,  a  very 
bright,  pretty  and  highly  accomplished  young  woman,  was 
wooed  and  won  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Pharr,  D.  D.,  a  most  excel- 
lent and  learned  minister.  He  had  the  happy  faculty  of  heal- 
ing ugly  breaches  in  a  congregation,  or  in  a  community. 
He  might  have  been  called  the  Peacemaker  of  the  Church. 
He  was  very  popular  as  a  man  and  as  a  preacher. 

They  left  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  oldest  son, 
John  R.  Pharr,  is  in  the  state  of  single  blessedness ;  is  suc- 
cessful in  business,  and  lives  with  and  takes  care  of  his  aged 
step-mother.  Dr.  William  W.  Pharr  is  engaged  in  practic- 
ing medicine  at  Newells.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Mr. 
Elam  Queery,  and  has  quite  an  interesting  family.  The 
daughter.  Miss  Mary,  married  Rev.  Mr.  Arrowood,  and  is 
living  now  in  South  Carolina.  Their  daughter  Elizabeth, 
married  Dr.  Watson  Rankin,  of  Cabarrus  county.  They 
both  have  passed  away  a  number  of  years  ago.  Their  chil- 
dren are  scattered  in  various  sections  of  other  counties  and 
Stales;  but  are  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Miss  Nannie 
married  a  Mr.  Stewart,  of  Florida,  who  soon  died,  and  his 
widow  spends  much  of  her  time  here  but  still  holds  her 
farm  in  Florida.  Miss  Sophia  married  Mr.  John  Sample,  of 
Memphis,  Term.   Both  soon  died  without  offspring. 


240  HISTORY   OF 

Capt.  A.  H.  Alexander  moved  to  Florida  in  1866,  where 
he  still  resides.  He  is  now  up  in  seventy  years,  his  health 
is  poor  and  has  but  a  few  years  left.  T.  LaFayette  Alexan- 
der was  long  a  resident  of  Charlotte,  was  a  most  successful 
merchant.  He  was  a  kind,  good  man,  and  did  much  for  his 
kin  who  were  not  so  well  off.  He  left  one  daughter  and  two 
sons.  Capt.  Francis  Alexander  gave  his  life  for  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  South,  and  for  the  rights  oi  the  States.  He 
was  killed  the  17th  of  June,  1864,  near  Petersburg. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Pharr's  second  wife — who  was  a  daughter  of 
General  Neal,  of  Steele  Creek — had  two  sons  and  two 
daughters,  who  are  fit  representatives  of  their  worthy  par- 
ents. Mr.  James  Pharr  is  a  merchant  of  standing,  and  is 
'held  in  high  esteem  in  both  Church  and  State.  Mr.  Neal 
Pharr  chose  the  legal  profession,  which  brings  him  a  hand- 
some revenue,  and  he  promises  to  occupy  an  honorable  posi- 
tion in  the  cotmty. 

Kairns  Harvey  Henderson  never  married,  but  let  a  quiet, 
useful  life. 

David  Robinson  Henderson  lived  five  miles  north  of 
Charlotte,  cultivated  a  farm,  was  successful  in  all  his  ven- 
tures. He  had  also  a  farm  on  both  sides  of  the  Catawba; 
also  one  in  Alabama.  This  one  he  visited  on  horseback  once 
or  twice  a  year.  He  married  Peggy  Alexander,  daughter  of 
Wm.  B.  Alexander.  In  his  frequent  visits  from  home,  last- 
ing some  times  two  or  three  months,  he  would  leave  every- 
thing pertaining  to  the  farm  in  the  hands  of  his  wife..  She 
was  indeed  an  "help  meet."  They  raised  four  sons  and  one 
daughter.  The  daughter,  Jane,  married  K.  C.  Davidson,  of 
the  Hopewell  neighborhood,  where  Mrs.  Davidson  still  lives. 
She  has  three  sons,  two  of  whom  are  physicians,  and  one  a 
farmer;  one  daughter,  Mary,  married  Arthur  Parks  in  Ire- 
dell county.  Miss  Sadie,  "heart  whole  and  fancy  free,"  en- 
joys life  as  a  typewriter  in  Charlotte.  Wm.  Bane  Hender- 
son graduated  at  Davidson  College,  and  moved  to  Alabama. 
Andrew  R.  Henderson  was  a  thorough-going  farmer,  raised 
elegant  crops,  but  was  too  confident  of  his  friends  meeting 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  241 

their  obligfations.  Being  security  for  them,  they  left  him  to 
pay  their  debts.  He  married  a  Miss  Rutlidge,  and  raised 
an  interesting  family  just  over  the  Catawba  river  in  Gaston 
county.  Mr.  A.  R.  Henderson  died  in  the  spring  of  1902. 
Dr.  J.  Mc.  Henderson  was  a  prominent  practitioner  of  med- 
icine seven  miles  north  of  Charlotte.  He  was  well  known  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county.  He  married  a  Miss  Sim- 
merell.  Dr.  Henderson  died  a  few  years  after  the  Civil 
War. 

Dr.  Simmerel  Henderson,  his  son,  is  single,  lives  at  the 
homestead  with  his  mother  and  sisters,  does  a  large  practice 
and  enjoys  life.  His  elder  brother,  Pink  Henderson,  married 
a  Miss  Dowd,  and  lives  near  Croft.  A  good  farmer,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  County  Commissioners,  and  is  altogether  a  useful 
man  in  his  community. 

Mr.  J.  Harvey  Henderson,  the  youngest  son  of  David  R. 
Henderson,  lived  at  the  homestead,  married  a  daughter  of 
Batt  Irwin,  Esq.  He  had  four  children,  three  sons  and  one 
daughter.  Harvey  H.  lost  his  wife  probably  twenty-five 
years  ago.  He  moved  to  Charlotte  fifteen  years  ago.  His 
boys  are  in  business  here  and  are  doing  well.  Mr.  Hen- 
derson died  in  1901.  His  daughter,  Miss  Ella,  lives  with 
her  brothers. 

The  daughters  of  Dr.  J.  Mc.  Henderson,  one,  Margaret, 
married  Dr.  John  R.  Irwin,  whoi  has  recently  moved  to 
Charlotte.  He  is  one  of  the  foremost  physicians  in  the  city, 
has  a  very  interesting  family.  He  is  giving  his  children 
every  possible  advantage  in  a  good  education.  Another 
daughter  married  Dr.  Elmore  Wilson,  of  Catawba.  They 
hold  the  traits  of  their  ancestors,  provided  well  for  their 
children.    The  three  who  are  single  are  engaged  in  teaching. 

Doctor  Kaims  Henderson  married  and  had  two  sons, 
David  and  James  P.  Henderson.  Devid  Henderson 
lived  six  miles  north  of  Charlotte  on  the  Statesville  road. 
He  was  a  good  farmer,  and  operated  a  small  tanyard.  He 
first  married  a  Wallace.  She  bore  him  two  children.  They 
were  uncommonly  bright.    They  lived  to  be  about  60  years 


242  HISTORY    OF 

old.  His  second  wife  was  a  daug-hter  of  Isaac  Henderson — a 
third  cousin  of  his.  There  was  eig-ht  children  by  the  second 
wife.  His  son  Charles  lives  in  the  old  homestead.  James 
P.  Henderson  lived  near  Derita.  He,  too,  married  a  Wal- 
lace; most  intellig-ent  family,  and  bore  wonderfully  smart 
children.  They  had  two  sons  and  two  daugfhters.  Philo 
was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  He 
was  the  recognized  poet  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Henderson  moved  to  Davidson  College  in  the  forties, 
and  continued  there  until  the  war.  His  daughters  married 
off,  Philo  was  dead,  his  wife  was  dead,  Tom  v^as  in  the 
army.  He  married  the  second  time.  In  a  little  while  death 
claimed  all  but  the  daughters. 

Another  of  these  brilliant  women  married  Mr.  Samuel 
Moose.  The  branch  of  the  Wallaces  were  remarkable  for 
their  intellectual  capacity.  Dr.  Thomas  Henderson  was  one 
of  the  earliest  physicians  that  ever  practiced  in  the  county. 
He  lived  in  Charlotte  and  married  the  widow  Baldwin,  who- 
ever she  might  have  been.  In  those  early  days  the  great 
strife  was  to  push  forward,  to  gain  our  independtence,  estab- 
lish our  government,  make  laws  to  regulate  the  affairs  of 
State,  only  to  look  forward  and  forget  that  which  was  past ; 
until  much  of  our  unwritten  history  has  passed  into  a  state 
of  oblivion.  No  wonder  we  do  not  know  who  the  widow 
Baldwin  could  have  been,  or  who  her  first  husband  was.  We 
'do  not  know  that  Dr.  Henderson  and  (Mrs.  Baldwin)  his 
wife  ever  had  but  one  son.  Mr.  Isaac  Henderson  (he  always 
looked  loinesome)  married  a  McRea.  They  lived  on  the 
Beattie's  Ford  Road,  four  miles  northwest  of  Charlotte. 
They  lived  handsomely,  an  excellent  house  for  the  time, 
•owned  quite  a  number  of  slaves,  and  everything  around  them 
t'""  render  the  family  happy  and'  contented.  He  had  one  son, 
David,  who  also  had  on)e  son,  Dr.  James  Henderson,  who 
died  a  few  years  since.  The  great  majority  of  this  family 
of  Hendersons  left  their  ashes  to  Sugar  Creek  burying 
ground.    They  lived  peaceably  together,  in  the  same  congre- 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY.  243 

gation;  and  it  is  meet  they  should  sleep  in  the  same  enclo- 
sure till  the  last  trump  shall  sound. 

WILLIAM  BROWN. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  east  of  Huntersville, 
in  Ramah  coiigregatioo,  Mr.  William  Brown  settled,  enter- 
ing 600  acres  of  land,  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  In 
the  last  one  hundred  years  the  land  has  been  cut  up  and 
divided  into  many  parcels,  but  is  still  owned  by  the  descenid- 
ants  of  the  Brown  family. 

It  is  the  plain,  common  people  that  constitute  the  back- 
bone of  a  countr>\  They  thought  it  was  their  Christian 
duty  to  enter  the  patriot  army  and  contend  for  the  independ- 
ence of  America.  In  the  war  between  the  States,  those  who 
were  young  enough  as  well  as  those  who  were,  old  enough, 
did  not  hesitate  to  fight  for  the  rights  of  the  South ;  and  no 
man  who  bears  the  name  of  Brown  has  any  apology  to  offer 
for  taking  sides  with  the  Sonth  in  the  terrific  struggle  which 
lasted  from  1861  to  1865. 

THE  BEARD  EAMILY. 

In  about  the  year  1770,  the  Beard  family  came  to  this 
country  from  Ireland.  John,  Samuel  and  William  Beard 
lived  where  John  Beard  the  second  afterwards  lived,  near 
the  Statesville  road,  fourteen  miles  north  of  Charlotte.  Wil- 
liam alone  was  married  before  he  emigrated;  but  his  wife  died 
before  he  reached  the  promised  land.  He  married  a  second 
time  in  South  Carolina.  From  her  appearance  when  she 
was  old,  she  must  have  been  a  woman  of  more  than  ordinary 
mental  calibre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beard  raised  one  daughter 
and  six  sons.  She  married  Milton  Osborne,  a  man  of  fine 
parts,  agreeable  manners,  an  excellent  farmer.  He  left  a 
worthy  family  to  perpetuate  his  namie.  The  oldest  son,  John 
Beard,  married  Camelia  McRaven.  They  lived  at  the  old 
homestead,  raised  a  large  family,  the  girls  married  well ;  one 


244  HISTORY    OF 

son  was  killed  in  the  Confederate  army,  and  the  others 
moved  West.  William  married  Francis  Brown;  they  were 
clever  people;  he  had  two  sons  in  the  Confederate  army. 
His  son  Joseph  gave  his  life  for  the  Confederate  cause,  and 
J.  C.  Beard  was  not  seriously  hurt  and  is  still  living,  with  a 
prospect  of  several  more  years,  with  his  wife  and  daughters 
to  cheer  his  old  age.  Robert  Beard  lived  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Statesville  road.  He  was  an  excellent  farmer,  had 
everything  in  abundance,  and  was  particular  about  his  stock. 
He  was  never  known  to  have  a  poor  horse.  He  married 
Polly  Knox.  The  whole  Knox  family  were  passionately 
foind  of  dancing,  but  there  was  no  impropriety  by  carrying 
the  amusement  to  excess.  They  also  gave  a  son  to  the  Con- 
federate army.  This  was  a  time  when  a  patriot  would  give 
his  all  to  defend  his  home.  J.  F.  M.  Beard  escaped  as  few 
battles  as  any  man  in  the  army.  He  never  complained,  but 
was  ready  for  duty  always,  and  frequently  stood  picket 
duty  every  other  night  towards  the  close  of  the  war.  But 
he  still  lives,  and  his  host  of  friends  wish  him  a  happy  even- 
ing to  a  well  spent  life.  He  married  Catherine  Alexander,  a 
daughter  of  Ezekiel  Alexander.  They  have  a  happy  family 
and  are  ranked  with  our  best  people.  Samuel  married 
Sabrian  Hale,  in  Tennessee,  and  spent  but  a  few  years  in 
North  Carolina.  James  married  a  Miss  Humphreys.  He 
worked  a  tanyard  for  many  years,  and  moved  to  Marion- 
Richard  lived  on  the  east  side  of  the  Statesville  road,  lead  a 
peaceful  life,  and  was  highly  esteemed  in  all  the  relations 
of  life.  He,  too,  married  a  Miss  Humphreys,  of  Tennessee. 
They  raised  a  nice  family,  who  are  among  our  best  citizens. 
The  old  grand-mother  was  fortunate  to  find  a  home  to  end 
her  last  days  in  the  family  of  her  son,  where  every  want  was 
gratified.  They  were  good  people,  held  to  the  Associate  Re- 
formed  Presbyterians.  The  older  set,  both  men  and  women, 
have  long  since  passed  away. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  245 

DANIEL  m'CAULAY. 

Mr.  Daniel  McCaulay,  w'ho  lived  in  the  same  neig'hbor- 
hood,  lived  about  the  same  time.  His  soti  Hugh,  a  compeer 
of  the  Beards,  was  a  noted  surveyor ;  had  a  family  of  eight 
children — Daniel,  Hugfh,  Alexander  and  John  were  all  in 
the  Confederate  army;  Daniel  and  Hugh  died  in  service; 
Alexander  and  John  are  still  living.  They  are  all  very  intel- 
ligent, and  useful  citizens.  The  women  were  very  smart — 
poetically  inclined.    Like  the  Beards,  they  were  "seceders." 

J.    M.    HAPPOLDT,    M.   D. 

J.  M.  Happoldt  came  to  Charlotte  previous  to  1840. 
He  was  well  equipped  for  practicing  his  profession,  did  his 
share  of  the  work,  was  a  fluent  conversationalist.  At  one 
time  he  became  the  victim,  of  typhoid  fever.  He  lay  for 
several  weeks,  was  desperately  ill,  and  wais  attended  by  Drs. 
Caldwell  and  Harris.  They  would  devote  their  personal 
attention  to  nursing  him,  giving  him  medicine,  food',  and 
what  he  needed.  At  this  time  ready-made  coffins  were  un- 
heard of.  Each  neighborhood  had  a  skilled  workman,  gen- 
erally a  cabinet  maker,  who  made  all  the  coffins  needed. 
Charlotte  was  not  a  whit  behind  other  places,  and  old  Archie 
Miles — the  cabinet  maker — was  always  ready  to  build  the 
last  house  for  any  one  who  had  been  a  good  citizen.  In  fact 
he  was  anxious  to  accommodate,  as  times  were  dull  and  he 
did  not  like  to  lose  a  job.  It  was  his  custom  to  inquire  very 
often  if  such  and  such  a  one  was  better  or  not,  until  it  was 
a  standing  joke.  Every  morning  during  the  extreme  illness 
of  Dr.  Happoldt,  Archie  Miles  would  be  seen  wending  his 
way  along  the  street  to  make  the  usual  enquiry,  and  return 
disappointed.  So  one  day  he  rested  well,  and  Dr.  Pink 
Caldwell  set  up  that  night,  and  towards  daylight  the  blinds 
were  closed  and  the  bed  curtains  were  drawn  to  shut  out  the 
rays  of  light,  so  that  his  slumber  should  not  be  di.sturbed. 
Dr.  Caldwell  quietly  withdrew.     Just  as  he  stepped  on  the 


246  HISTORY    OF" 

pavement,  who  should  he  see  but  his  friend  Archie  coming 
— buttoning-  his  clothes  as  he  trotted  briskly  up  the  street, 
calling  in  a  loud  whisper,  "Dr.  Caldwell,  Dr.  Caldwell,  how 
is  Dr.  Happoldt?"  "Well,  Archie,"  Dr.  Caldwell  answered, 
"Our  poor  friend  has  gone,  after  a  long  struggle."  The 
cojfifin-maker  no  longer  hesitated,  but  at  cnce  mounted  the 
steps,  threw  the  door  open,  entered  the  supposed  death 
chamber,  opened  wide  the  window  shutters,  drew  the  cur- 
tains to  one  side,  and  placed  his  thumb  on  one  end  of  the 
measuring  tape  on  his  forhead,  and  began  unwheeling  the 
tape,  when  the  supposed  corps  was  awakened  and  asked: 
"What  in  the  hell  are  you  doing?"  Archie  looked  like  he 
had  seen  a  ghost,  and  got  out  of  the  house  quicker  than  he 
went  in.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  patient's  recovery 
was  hastened  by  the  undertaker's  misadventure. 

WM.  w.  ELMS. 

Wm.  W.  Elms,  as  a  citizen,  deserves  more  than  a  passing 
notice.  He  was  born  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county, 
not  far  from  the  South  Carolina  line.  He  came  to  Charlotte 
in  1829,  and  clerked  for  Mr.  John  Irwin  for  several  years. 
Then  the  firm  name  was  Irwin  &  Elms.  Then  after  several 
years  he  dissolved  copartnership  with  Irwin  and  moved 
from  Irwin's  corner  to  a  house  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Frank 
Andrews,  and  had  the  following  clerks,  viz. :  A.  H.  Martin, 
Billy  Owens,  Washington  Blair,  Ed.  Moss,  James  Harty, 
and  others  as  needed.  S.  Nye  Hutchison  and  Jasper  Stowe 
at  one  time  helped  Mr.  Elms  in  the  dry  goods  trade. 

In  1848,  the  firm  name  changed  to  Elms  &  Logan  Mar- 
tin, when  Columbus  Irwin  clerked  for  them.  And,  after- 
wards, it  was  W.  W.  Elms  alone.  He  was  very  popular  as 
a  merchant  and  did  an  enormous  business.  After  1852, 
when  the  Charlotte  &  Columbia  Railroad  was  finished  here, 
Mr.  Elms  was  the  principal  cotton  buyer  in  the  market.  He 
built  several  elegant  houses,  and  did  much  to  improve  the 
town.    He  was  the  leading  spirit  in  building  the  Lincolnton 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  247 

Plank  Road  that  brought  much  produce  to  market.  These 
roads  soon  fell  into  decay,  but  they  served  a  good  purpose 
in  giving  an  example  what  good  roads  were  worth,  and 
after  the  people  saw  the  practical  working,  they  did  not  stop 
until  Mecklenburg  had  the  best  roads  in  all  the  country. 

COL.    J.    Y.    BRYCE. 

J.  Y.  Bryce  came  to  Charlotte  when  quite  a  young  man, 
from  South  Carolina,  having  been  raised  in  Columbia,  and 
belonged  to  a  family  who  associated  with  the  Barnwells, 
Rhetts,  Hamptons,  DeSeasure  and  all  that  class  of  people 
who  gave  the  State  her  reputation  for  chivalry  that  she  sus- 
tained for  so  many  years. 

Col.  Bryce  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  which 
he  was  successful.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  L.  G. 
Jones,  took  an  active  part  in  building  up  all  the  interests  of 
the  town.  He  could  not  help  but  advocate  the  right  of  seces- 
sion, and  when  the  time  came  for  action  "instead  of  talk,  he 
was  not  slow  in  going  to  the  front.  He  was  very  painfully 
wounded,  from  which  he  never  fully  recovered.  Soon  after 
the  war  he  went  to  New  York  and  speculated  in  cotton  when 
the  price  was  high,  and  amassed  a  large  fortune.  After  he 
returned  to  Charlotte,  he  was  plied  by  a  number  of  persons 
to  join  them  in  various  speculations.  He  steered  clear  of 
the  sharpers  for  a  while,  but  finally  yielded  and  was  soon 
spoiled  of  his  entire  fortune.  He  engaged  in  working  the 
marl  beds  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  it  did  not  take 
well  with  the  farmers,  and  although  he  worked  it  faithfully 
for  several  years,  it  proved  a  failure.  After  this  his  health 
declined  rapidly  and  he  died  in  1897.  His  family  moved 
soon  away.  He  was  liked  by  all  with  whom  he  came  in 
contact. 

CHARLES  ELMS  SPRATT. 

In  1842  Charlotte  was  still  a  village,  although  it  was  more 
than  half  a  century  old.     At  this  date  Mr.  Spratt  came  to 


248  HISTORY  OF 

Charlotte,  a  young  man  of  more  than  ordinary  appearance, 
of  good  family,  and  of  fine  physique — born  and  educated  be- 
low where  the  town  of  Pineville  now  stands.  He  came  here 
in  1842  to  clerk  for  Moss,  Springs  &  Co.  This  proved  a 
pleasant  firm  to  work  for,  but  in  three  years  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  R.  F.  Davidson  at  Irwin's  corner,  under 
the  style  of  Davidson  &  Spratt.  This  venture  lasted  only 
eighteen  months,  when  he  sold  out  to  W.  W.  Elms,  and  went 
to  New  York.  He  there  clerked  in  a  woolen  house,  but  after 
one  year  he  returned  to  Charlotte,  and  in  1849  bought  out 
Elms,  where  Mr.  Frank  Andrews  now  has  a  sewing  machine 
store,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  John  Allison,  un- 
der the  name  of  Spratt  &  Allison.  This  house  kept  the  finest 
goods  in  the  town,  was  patronized  by  wealthy  people  in  the 
surrounding  counties.  The  firm  continued  for  three  years, 
when  Mr.  Spratt  sold  out  to  Allison  &  Daniel,  and  joined 
with  W.  W.  Elms  in  the  grocery  business  and  buying  cot- 
con.  Mr.  Spratt  was  married  in  1850  to  Miss  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Brawley  Oates,  probably  the  most  handsome 
couple  ever  married  in  Charlotte.  Brilliant  intellect  as  well 
as  beauty  of  feature  appears  to  be  handed  down  in  the  fam- 
ily, like  an  interesting  heirloom. 

ISAAC  ALEXANDER,  COMMONLY  CALLED  "CLERK  ISAAC." 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Mecklenburg  county. 
For  a  great  many  years  he  was  clerk  of  the  Court,  which 
was  then  as  now,  a  most  important  po'sition,  and  conse- 
quently none  but  the  best  men  in  the  county  were  capable  of 
filling.  He  lived  about  four  miles  from  town ;  had  his  office 
at  home,  where  he  carried  all  papers  belonging  to  the  Court 
and  the  county.  He  had  a  certain  day  on  which  he  would 
meet  the  people,  and  during  court  week,  he  was  at  the 
court  house  every  day.  His  daughters  assisted  him  much 
in  writing.  He  lived  between  Sugar  Creek  and  Providence. 
He  was  a  regular  worshipper  at  Sugar  Creek,  and  was 
buried  there  in  the  second  grave  yard,  south  side  of  the  big 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  249 

road  leading  to  Charlotte.  He  was  born  in  1798.  He  mar- 
ried a  sister  of  David  Reese.  How  particular  the  people 
were  to  keep  their  posterity  on  a  high  plain,  never  to  go 
backwards,  but  if  possible  keep  up  the  strain,  or  improve  it. 
He  died  at  a  good  old  age,  74.  His  sister,  Elmira  Alex- 
ander, married  John  Rankin,  from  Guilford  county.  They 
lived  west  of  Sugar  Creek  two  miles.  They  were  good  peo- 
ple and  valuable  members  of  society.  They  afterwards 
moved  on  the  same  place  where  the  old  clerk  spent  his  days 
of  toil  and  pleasure.  She  and  her  husband  were  married 
on  the  night  the  "stars  fell"  in  1833.  They,  too,  have 
passed  away,  and  their  son,  William  Rankin,  now  holds 
forth  on  the  same  place  that  his  grandfather  occupied.  He 
has  a  wife  and  daughters  that  remind  you  so  much  of  the 
earlier  settlers. 

Charles  T.  Alexander,  a  worthy  son  of  Clerk  Isaac  Alex- 
ander, lived  on  the  same  place,  but  in  another  house,  having 
built  a  new  one.  He  never  married,  was  very  popular  with 
the  young  ladies,  loved  their  company,  and  in  return  was 
visited  by  them.  A  young  peoples'  club  was  not  complete 
without  him. 

As  an  elder,  he  often  attended  church  courts.  He  was  re- 
garded by  all  as  a  good  Christian  man.  He  died  at  72  years 
of  age. 

HON.    JAMES    A.    DUNN. 

Back  in  1840,  Hon.  James  A.  Dunn  was  one  of  the  most 
influential  men  in  the  county  in  all  his  several  relations  of 
life.  After  Union  county  was  cut  off  from  Mecklenburg  in 
1845,  Col.  Dunn  lived  in  Union  county.  He  served  this 
county  for  several  terms  in  the  State  Legislature  with 
great  acceptability.  He  was  the  leader  of  everything  that 
tended  to  help  the  masses ;  was  always  active  in  educational 
enterprises,  and  what  was  for  the  best  of  the  county.  He 
was  a  large  farmer,  and  did  his  work  well.     He  was  a  neigh- 


250  HISTORY    OF 

bor  to  Dr.  Ardrey,  just  across  the  creek,  and  attended  Prov- 
idence Church,  and  at  last  found  a  resting  place  in  the  grave- 
yard, where  he  had  been  a  worshipper  during  his  life;  also 
his  three  wives  rest  here  with  him.     His  first  wife  was  Miss 

His  second  wife  was  the  widow 

Ingraham — Miss  Walkup.  His  third  wife  was  the  widow 
Stitt.  He  was  a  happy  man,  and  did  much  good  in  his  life- 
time. Something  more  than  a  half  century  ago  he  passed 
away,  but  has  left  a  memory  behind  him  that  is. cherished 
by  those  who  would  have  their  works  to  follow  them. 

JOAB   ORR. 

Joab  Orr,  who  lived  in  the  same  neighborhood,  was  also 
noted  in  his  day,  but  it  was  in  another  direction.  He  was 
noted  for  his  skill  in  playing  the  fiddle.  This  appears  to 
have  been  his  chief  delight,  and  to  see  that  the  dancers  kept 
step  to  the  music. 

Joab  Orr  had  three  beautiful  daughters,  naturally  smart, 
and  if  living  in  the  civilization  of  the  present  day,  and  had 
the  advantages  of  education  that  are  enjoyed  now,  they 
would  have  been  leaders  of  the  fashionable  world,  as  their 
father  was  the  leader  of  music,  especially  on  the  violin. 
They  lived  at  the  place  now  known  as  the  Henigan  place, 
south  of  Little  Sugar  Creek,  where  President  Polk  is  said 
to  have  been  born.  This  section  of  the  country  was  noted 
for  the  staunch  patriots  furnished  the  American  army  from 
1775  to  1 78 1.  It  is  an  elegant  body  of  land,  well  watered, 
and  owned  by  the  best  of  citizens,  most  generally  descend- 
ants of  those  who  cultivated  these  lands  "when  we  lived 
under  the  king." 

Pineville,  two  miles  from  the  South  Carolina  line,  was 
marked  off  as  a  railroad  station  on  the  Charlotte  &  Colum- 
bia road,  is  quite  a  depot  for  distribution  of  farmers'  sup- 
plies, a  cotton  factory,  stores,  etc.  It  is  a  central  point  for 
thai  section  of  the  county,  and  among  the  many  good  people 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  25I 

who  live  and  have  lived  around  here,  I  will  mention  the 
name  of  Alexander.  Many  of  that  name  lived  within  five 
miles,  all  connected  and  all  were  good  people.  I  can  go 
back  sixty  years  and  can  truthfully  say  that  I  have  never 
heard  of  one  of  the  name  who  was  giiilty  of  a  mean  or  dis- 
honorable action  of  anv  kind. 


Metny  Men  Who  Sustained  ql  Splendid  Repxita- 
tion  as  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Various 
Years  of  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

RKV.   JOHN    MCK.    WILSON,   D.   D. 

A  man  whose  boyhood  was  spent  amidst  the  impressive 
events  and  influences  of  the  Revolution,  and  gained  a  name 
not  to  be  forgotten,  was  Rev.  John  McKamie  Wilson,  D.  D. 
He  was  born  six  miles  east  of  Charlotte  in  the  bounds  ol 
Sugar  Creek,  of  which  church  his  widowed  mother  was  a 
member.  With  Mrs.  Wilson,  Mrs.  Jackson  and  her  son 
Andrew,  found  a  refuge,  and  for  a  time  a  home,  when  the 
families  of  Waxhaw,  on  the  borders  of  South  Carolina, 
were  flying  from  the  ravages  of  the  enemy.  The  sons  of 
these  widows,  John  and  Andrew,  worked  and  played  together 
and,  together  with  their  mothers,  attended  the  preaching  of 
Rev.  Joseph  Alexander,  then  pastor  of  Sugar  Creek.  John 
never  dreamed  that  he  was  running,  wrestling  and  working 
with  a  boy  that  was  to  be  President  of  the  United  States; 
nor  did  Andrew,  when  measuring  strength  and  speed  with 
John,  think  how  difficult  it  would  be  to  measure  the  height 
of  usefulness  to  which  his  young  playmate  was  destined  to 
reach ;  nor  the  vast  influences  which  he  was  to  set  in  opera- 
tion for  good. 

John  McKamie  Wilson  was  born  in  1769.  At  the  age 
of  12  years  be  began  his  classical  education  at  Liberty  Hall, 
at  Charlotte,  then  under  the  management  of  Dr.  Henderson. 
His  literary  training  was  completed  at  Hampden-Sidney, 
Va.,  where  he  graduated  with  distinction.  Having  fully 
and  heartily  consecrated  himself  to  Christ,  he  devoted  his 
life  to  the  ministry.  His  theological  training  and  prepara- 
tion was  received  under  Rev.  James  Hall,  D.  D.,  of  Iredell 
county.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Orange  in 
1793.  and  was  sent  out  to  do  missionary  work  in  the  lower 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  253 

part  of  the  State.  His  next  field  of  labor  was  in  Burke 
county,  where  he  remained  until  1801.  His  ministry  was 
very  fruitful  in  elevating  the  standard  of  piety,  org-anizing 
new  churches  and  building  up  those  which  had  been  pre- 
viously planted  in  that  county. 

While  living  in  Burke  he  married  Miss  Mary  Erwin, 
whose  father  was  Alexander  Erwin,  of  that  county,  in 
whom  he  found  the  intelligence,  piety  and  sweetness  of  dis- 
position which  made  her  a  great  blessing  to  her  husband 
for  more  than  thirty  years.  He  was  called  from  Quaker 
Meadow  to  Rocky  River  and  Philadelphia  churches  in  1801, 
where  he  spent  the  strength  of  his  vigorous  manhood  and 
the  declining  years  of  his  life.  About  the  year  181 2  he,  at 
the  earnest  request  of  many,  opened  a  classical  school  about 
one  mile  from  his  house,  and  for  twelve  years  that  congre- 
gation and  many  others,  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  one  of 
the  most  flourishing  and  successfully  managed  academies  in 
all  the  country.  During  those  years  twenty-five  of  his  stu- 
dents entered  the  ministry,  and  many  others  were  prepared 
for  position  of  public  trust.  As  a  minister  and  teacher  of 
youth,  he  was  eminently  wise  in  management.  He  died 
July  30,  183 1,  ■  Among  those  who  entered  the  ministry 
from  that  school  may  be  named  Dr.  Cyrus  Johnston,  at  one 
time  pastor  of  Providence  and  Sharon,  and  who  died  in 
Charlotte,  the  pastor  of  the  First  Church ;  R.  H.  Morrison, 
D.  D.,  Henry  N.  Pharr,  and  Alexander  Wilson. 

REV.    JOHN    ROBINSON. 

Rev.  John  Robinson  was  born  in  Sugar  Creek  congrega- 
tion in  1768.  Like  his  friend  Dr.  Wilson,  he  was  born  in 
troubulous  times,  when  it  seemed  that  society  was  to  be  torn 
up  by  the  roots,  and  the  civilization  of  that  period  to  be 
utterly  destroyed,  and  the  people  forced  into  subjection  to 
the  tyranny  of  England.  He  was  too  young  to  enter  the 
patriot  army,  but  when  twelve  or  fifteen  years  old,  was  at 
school  at  Queen's  Museum,  under  the  special  care  of  Dr. 


254  HISTORY    OF 

Henderson,  who  was  an  instructor  in  1780.  The  most  of 
his  ministerial  life  was  spent  at  Poplar  Tent.  He  had  a 
large  field  to  operate  in,  and  allowed  no  part  to  suffer  for 
want  of  his  attention.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  great 
revivals  of  1802,  1803,  1804,  1805  and  1806. 

On  one  occasion  as  he  came  home  from  church,  he  was 
passing  a  man  driving  a  wagon.  When  the  wagoner,  judg- 
ing him  to  be  a  minister,  began  blackguarding,  and  cursing 
him,  whereupon  he  alighted  from  his  horse,  took  off  his  coat 
and  carefully  laid  down,  and  addressed  his  coat,  "Now  Par- 
son Robinson,  you  lie  there  till  I  whip  this  man."  He  was 
so  deliberate  in  his  preparation  the  wagoner  begged  his  par- 
don, and  promised  never  to  insult  another  preacher  when 
attending  to  his  own  business. 

He  was  a  native  of  Mecklenburg,  and  like  Dr.  Wilson, 
moved  just  over  the  county  line,  hence  we  have  no  apolo- 
gies to  offer,  for  they  belonged  to  us.  After  living  the  full 
measure  of  his  days,  he  died  December  15,  1843. 

REV.   SAMUEL  C.    CALDWELL. 

Rev.  Samuel  Craig  Caldwell  was  a  son  of  Dr.  David 
Caldwell,  of  Guilford,  who  was  a  noted  Patriot  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Alexander 
Craighead,  whose  body  lies  buried  three  miles  east  of  Char- 
lotte, in  the  first  graveyard  of  Sugar  Creek  church.  Mr. 
Caldwell's  first  charge  was  Hopewell  and  Sugar  Creek,  in- 
stalled in  1792.  In  1806  he  moved  to  Sugar  Creek  and  ten- 
dered his  resignation  of  his  services  at  Hopewell,  devoted 
his  time  to  Sugar  Creek,  Mallard  Creek,  Paw  Creek,  and 
Charlotte.  The  last  three  were  not  organized  when  he  be- 
gan preaching;  but  afterwards  he  organized  Mallard  Creek 
and  Paw  Creek.  The  latter  has  changed  its  name  to  Cald- 
well. Mr.  Caldwell  taught  a  large  classical  school  at  Sugar 
Creek,  and  also  taught  a  theological  school.  He  was  a 
busy  man. 

It  was  at  his  school  that  young  Wallis,  a  nephew  of  Mr. 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  255 

Caldwell's  first  wife  (both  he  and  Mr.  Wallis  married 
daughters  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander),  delivered  his 
speech  on  "The  20th  of  May,  1775,  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence in  Charlotte  was  Declared."  This  speech  was 
delivered  in  1809,  when  there  was  still  living-  several  of  the 
signers  and  more  than  a  score  of  those  who  participated  in 
the  War  of  Independence.  If  he  had  made  a  mistake  about 
dates,  surely  it  would  have  been  corrected  on  the  spot,  when 
it  was  spoken  in  the  presence  of  a  large  crowd,  two  of  the 
sons-in-law  of  Mr.  Alexander  being  present,  and  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  the  old  secretary  himself  was  present,  for 
this  was  eight  years  before  his  death,  and  he  lived  but  eight 
miles  away. 

Mr.  Caldwell  raised  seven  sons  and  two  daughters — 
two  by  his  first  wife,  Jane  Bain,  a  daughter  of  John  Mc- 
Knitt Alexander,  and  Dr.  D.  Thomas  Caldwell,  who  lived  a 
useful  life  to  both  Church  and  State.  He  practiced  medi- 
cine for  many  years,  and  raised  a  worthy  family.  But  three 
of  his  children  survive.  Baxter  runs  the  farm  successfully, 
is  an  ex-Confederate,  is  proud  of  his  war  record,  is  a  bach- 
elor; his  sister.  Miss  Alice,  lives  with  him.  They  live  hap- 
pily in  the  congregation  of  Sugar  Creek,  close  to  the  graves 
of  his  ancestors,  and  near  the  tomb  of  Alexander  Craig- 
head. 

Another  daughter  still  living  is  Mrs.  Sarah  Jane,  who 
married  George  Donald,  of  Greensboro.  She  is  a  woman 
of  deep  piety,  and  well  versed  in  the  literature  of  the  day. 

By  the  second  wife  Rev.  S.  C.  Caldwell  was  blessed  with 
nine  children,  in  addition  to  the  two  by  the  first  marriage— 
the  daughter  having  married  Rev.  Walter  Smiley  Pharr, 
who  spent  the  most  of  his  life  preaching  at  Ramah  and 
Mallard  Creek.  He  had  one  son,  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Pharr,  D. 
D.,  who  was  a  very  popular  preacher.  He  had  a  most  won- 
derful flow  of  language,  and  was  regarded  far  beyond  the 
ordinary. 

Five  of  the  sons  by  the  last  or  Lindsay  wife,  were  minis- 
ters ;  but  one  served  a  church  in  Mecklenburg,  Rev.  J.  M.  M. 


256  HISTORY    OF 

Caldwell.  He  preached  for  a  number  of  years  at  Sugar 
Creek.  In  1845  he  moved  to  Rome,  Ga.,  served  the  church 
there  very  acceptably,  and  taught  a  female  school  for  many 
years.  He  had  three  sons  to  enter  the  ministry.  Harper 
Caldwell  moved  to  Mississippi  in  1845.  He,  too,  had  three 
sons  to  enter  the  ministry.  Walter  P.  Caldwell,  a  lawyer  of 
Greensboro,  had  but  one  son,  Robert  Ernest,  and  he  is  one 
of  the  most  eminent  divines  in  North  Carolina.  His 
daughter  by  the  Lindsay  wife,  Abigail  Bain,  married  Robert 
D.  Alexander,  Esq.  They  raised  five  children,  the  eldest 
of  whom.  Rev.  Dr.  S.  C.  Alexander,  now  of  Pine  Bluff, 
Ark.,  has  been  a  minister  for  more  than  fifty  years.  It  is 
wonderful  how  many  have  followed  in  the  path  marked  out 
by  their  progenitor — Rev.  Alexander  Craighead.  Mr. 
Craghead  was  an  early  settler  in  our  county,  in  1758,  and 
was  regarded  as  a  wise  teacher,  both  in  religion  and  resist- 
ance to  British  tyranny. 

Rev.  Mr.  S.  C.  Caldwell,  who  preached  so  long  at  Sugar 
Creek,  left  a  lasting  impression  on  the  community  for 
good.  For  fifty  years  after  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1829,  people  lived  who  talked  freely  about  his  manners  and 
ways.  He  left  a  lasting  impress  "upon  the  sands  of  time" 
that  will  continue  to  exercise  a  wholesome  influence  in 
Mecklenburg  county  long  after  his  hearers  and  associates 
are  forgotten.  The  peculiarities  and  idiosyncrasies  of  the 
fathers  are  certainly  transmitted  to  the  sons  through  many 
generations,  or  to  use  a  more  homely  phrase,  "preaching 
appears  to  run  in  the  family." 

REV.    JOHN    WILLIAMSON. 

Rev.  John  Williamson  went  to  Hopewell  as  pastor  in 
1818,  and  gave  great  satisfaction  for  twenty-four  years, 
when  death  closed  his  pastorate  in  1842.  He  was  popular  as 
a  man,  a  pastor,  and  a  preacher.  His  wife  was  a  Doby,  and 
filled  the  bill  of  what  a  preacher's  wife  should  be.  She  was 
in  deed  a  helpmeet  to  her  husband.     She,  too,  passed  away 


MKCKLKNBURG    COUNTY.  257 

two  years  later.  Hopewell  church  yard  was  a  fitting  place 
to  lay  them  away.  Mr.  Williamson  is  the  first  and  only 
minister  that  has  ever  found  a  sepulcher  in  Hopewell  cem- 
etery. The  eldest  daughter,  Sarah  Ann,  married  Rev.  A. 
H.  Caldwell,  and  at  once  moved  to  Mississippi,  with  the 
younger  children,  where  their  lives  were  spent  in  doing 
good.  Mrs.  Caldwell  is  still  living,  in  reach  of  her  family, 
and  is  abundantly  supplied  with  this  world's  goods,  and 
has  the  pleasure  of  knowing  that  three  of  her  sons  are  regu- 
larly ordained  ministers.  Mecklenburg  has  probably  sent 
out  to  other  States  more  men  who  afterwards  entered  the 
learned  professions  than  any  O'ther  county  in  the  State. 

REV.    SAMUEI.    WILLIAMSON,    D.    D. 

Mr.  Williamson  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  gradu- 
ated at  the  University  of  South  Carolina,  with  the  first 
honors  of  the  institution.  In  1837  he  was  elected  a  pro- 
fessor at  Davidson  College,  which  position  he  held  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  the  office  of  President  becoming  vacant,  Mr. 
Williamson  was  elected  president  of  the  college.  He  was  a 
man  of  very  brilliant  attainments.  He  was  said  to  have 
been  one  of  the  finest  Latin  scholars  in  the  State;  a  preacher 
of  very  great  power.  He  was  an  off-hand  speaker,  never 
taken  unawares;  he  was  never  at  a  loss  in  debate.  He  had 
the  best  stored  mind  with  useful  knowledge  of  any  man  of 
his  day.  He  was  universally  loved  by  the  students.  He  re- 
signed his  position  as  head  of  the  faculty  in  1852,  and 
moved  to  his  farm  in  Hopewell,  that  was  formerly  owned 
by  his  brother,  Rev.  John  Williamson,  and  there  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  till  1856,  when  he  removed  to  Arkansas. 
His  eldest  son,  James,  studied  law  and  in  1861  went  into 
the  Confederate  army;  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Colo- 
nel, lost  a  leg  and  remained  a  cripple  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  Our  county  was  proud  to  welcome  the  Williamsons, 
and  very  sorry  to  lose  them. 


258  HISTORY    OF 

REV.   R.   H.   LAFFERTY. 

Rev.  R.  H.  Lafferty  came  to  North  Carolina  about  1845, 
and  took  charge  of  Sugar  Creek  soon  after  Rev.  J.  M.  M. 
Caldwell  resigned.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Wilson 
Parks.  He  was  a  very  earnest  preacher,  and  gave  very  gen- 
eral satisfaction.  He  ministered  to  this  congregation  for 
a  number  of  years,  in  fact  he  never  moved  until  his  death, 
about  the  year  1867. 

REV.   JAMES   WAIvLIS.  •  1 

Rev.  James  Wallis  was  licensed  about  1790,  and  he,  too, 
married  a  daughter  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  and  located 
at  Providence,  some  thirty  years  after  the  "Seven  Churches" 
were  built.  He  continued  with  this  charge  many  years,  until 
his  work  was  done.  He  and  his  wife  both  were  buried  in 
Providence  graveyard.  Their  children  moved  west,  and  en- 
tered the  race  of  life  within  the  new  State,  opening  their 
doors  to  emigrants  as  the  century  advanced. 

■  '  "  -  A.    W.    MILLER. 

Dr.  A.  W.  Miller,  former  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
<church  of  this  city,  no  writer  can  do  full  justice  to  him.  He 
-was  a  great  preacher,  no  one  can  deny  this.  His  preaching 
-was  characterized  by  sound  doctrine,  earnestness  and  no 
•compromise.  It  was  the  writer's  privilege  to  be  a  member 
■of  his  flock,  and  to  hear  him  preach  for  years,  hence  can 
judge  somewhat  of  his  power.  His  delivery  was  different 
from  what  we  are  accustomed  to  hear  now.  He  used  manu- 
script almost  entirely,  but  quite  effectively;  occasionally  he 
would  preach  without  any  manuscript,  and  these  sermons 
were  delivered  with  great  power.  Some  one  spoke  to  him 
in  regard  to  two  sermons  he  preached  on  a  certain  Sunday, 
1  ne  with  manuscript,  and  one  without,  saying  to  him  that 
Jie  liked  the  sermon  without  the  manuscript  best.     Dr.  Mil- 


DR.  A.   W.  MILLER. 


; 


JSilvCKMCNBURC    COUNTY.  259 

ler  intimated  by  his  reply  that  this  was  l)ecause  of  inatten- 
tion, saying-  it  took  two  weeks  to  prepare  the  sermon  deliv- 
ered from  manuscript,  and  the  other  he  had  not  even  given 
any  study,  the  text  having  come  into  his  mind  just  before 
the  service  began.  He  never  preached  a  sermon  that  did 
not  contain  food  for  thought ;  he  declared  the  whole  law  and 
spared  not.  1  do  not  think  I  ever  heard  him  try  to  modify 
the  obvious  meaning  of  any  text  oi  Scripture.  He  preached 
from  the  texts  of  the  Bible  as  they  were  written. 

The  church  of  which  he  was  the  pastor  is  still  reaping  the 
benefits  of  his  noble  work,  conspicuous  in  its  contributions 
to  the  support  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  integrity  and  steadfast- 
ness of  many  of  the  older  members.  Notwithstanding  his 
devotion  to  his  calling,  and  the  arduous  duties  incident 
thereto,  he  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  history  of  his  coun- 
try, particularly  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence. He  always  would  preach  an  appropriate  sermon  on 
these  occasions,  attesting  in  no  uncertain  sound  his  belief  in 
the  genuineness  of  the  claim.  While  abroad  he  visited 
London  and  searched  the  archives  for  evidence  bearing  upon 
this  important  event,  and  ascertained  that  very  important 
evidence  had  been  abstracted  from  the  files.  He  continued 
his  search,  and  found  in  Charleston  evidence  convincing  him 
that  the  claim  was  true.  He  secured  the  file  containing  this 
information  and  brought  it  to  Charlotte  and  exhibited  it  to 
the  public  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  hall  in  this  city. 

It  was  he  who  encouraged  the  erection  of  a  monument  to 
the  memory  of  Rev.  Alex.  Craighead,  a  noted  Presbyterian 
minister,  who  was  prominent  in  the  times  that  tried  men's 
souls.  Some  persons  regarded  this  great  man  as  stern  and 
unapproachable;  this  was  a  mistaken  idea.  He  was  just 
the  opposite,  being  easily  approached,  and  as  full  of  humor 
as  the  average  man.  The  same  could  he  said  of  him  as  was 
said  of  a  learned  judge :  "He  could  leave  the  bench  and  gei 
down  on  the  floor  with  the  children."  I  have  seen  him  do 
this  at  my  own  house,  and  he  seemed  to  enjoy  the  sport  as 
much  as  the  children. 


26o  HISTORY    OF 

Every  one  respected  him  and  had  great  confidence  in  his 
piety.  He  had  some  peculiarities,  as  other  men ;  had  a  pecu- 
liar way  of  putting-  some  things.  I  remember  of  hearing 
him  in  a  sermon  on  one  occasion  speaking  of  consistency 
of  professed  Christians.  He  said  "that  a  man  who  had  an 
orthodox  heart,  should  have  orthodox  feet."  He  was  un- 
mistakably a  great  and  good  man.  His  life  and  work  may 
be  summed  up  in  the  words  ( which  were  the  last  uttered  by 
him)  engraved  upon  a  tablet  erected  to  his  memory  by  the 
ladies  of  his  church:  "I  have  fought  a  good  fight;  I  have 
finished  my  course;  I  have  kept  the  Faith."  We  can  truth- 
fully say  of  him : 

"  Servant  of  God  well  done  ; 

Rest  from  thy  loved  employ  ; 
The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won, 
Enter  thy  master's  joy. 

"  The  pains  of  death  are  past, 
Labor  and  sorrow  cease. 
And  life's  long  warfare  closed  at  last, 
His  soul  is  found  in  peace. 

"  Soldier  of  Christ,  well  done  ; 
Praise  be  thy  new  employ  ; 
And  while  eternal  ages  run, 
Rest  in  thy  Saviour's  joy." 

— Contributed  by  J.  A.  Blliott. 


Two  Church  Sessions  Act  as  a  Unit. 

Hopewell  and  Sugar  Creek  churches  form  a  union,  in 
which  government  of  both  are  under  the  rule  of  a  joint  ses- 
sion. The  spiritual  welfare  was  the  highest  aim  of  both 
bodies.  During  the  time  of  Rev.  S.  C.  Caldwell's  ministra- 
tion of  Hopewell  and  Sugar  Creek  churches,  beginning  in 
1793,  the  pressure  was  very  great,  as  at  that  time  infidelity 
was  felt  wherever  it  could  make  itself  felt.  On  May  15, 
1793,  the  sessions  of  Sugar  Creek  and  Hopewell  had  a  full 
meeting  at  the  house  of  Elder  Robinson,  about  midway  be- 
tween the  churches,  and  entered  into  a  number  of  resolutions 
as  laws  for  the  government  of  both  churches. 

"North  Carouna, 
"Mecklenburg  Comity,  May  5,   1793. 

"We,  the  Sessions  of  Sugar  Creek  and  Hopewell  congre- 
gations, having  two  separate  and  distinct  churches,  sessions 
and  other  officers  for  the  peace,  convenience,  and  well-order- 
ing of  each  society,  and  all  happily  united  under  their  pres- 
ent pastor,  Samuel  C.  Caldwell,  yet  need  much  mutual  help 
from  each  other  in  regard  of  our  own  weakness  and  mutual 
dependence,  and  also  in  regard  to  our  enemies  from  with- 
out. 

"Therefore,  in  order  to  make  oiir  union  the  more  perma- 
nent, and  to  strengthen  each  others'  hands  in  the  bonds  of 
unity  and  Christian  friendship,  have,  this  15th  day  of  May, 
1793,  met  in  a  social  manner,  at  the  house  of  Mons.  Rob- 
inson. Present :  Robert  Robinson,  Sr.,  Hezekiah  Alexander, 
Wm.  Alexander,  James  Robinson,  Isaac  Alexander,  Thomas 
Alexander^  and  Elijah  Alexander,elders  in  Sugar  Creek; 
John  McKnitt  Alexander,  Robert  Crocket,  James  Meek, 
James  Henry,  Wm.  Henderson,  and  Ezekiel  Alexander, 
elders  in  Hopewell,  who,  after  discussing  generally  several 
topics,  proceeded  to  choose  Hezekiah  Alexander  chairman, 


262  HISTORY    OF 

and  John  McKnitt  Alexander  clerk,  and  do  agree  to  the 
following  resolves  and  rules  which  we,  each  for  himself, 
promise  to  observe." 

Then  follow  five  resolutions  respecting  the  management 
of  the  congregations,  as  it  regards  the  support  of  their  min- 
isters, inculcating  punctuality  and  precision ;  and  also  re- 
specting a  division  of  the  Presbytery  of  Orange  into  two 
Presbyteries. 

Then  follow  eight  permanent  laws  and  general  rules  for 
each  session.  The  first  concerns  the  manner  of  bringing 
charges  against  a  member  of  the  church;  that  it  shall  be 
written  and  signed  by  the  complainant,  and  that  previous  to 
trial  all  mild  means  shall  he  used  to  settle  the  matter. 

2.  ''As  a  church  judicature,  we  will  not  intermeddle  with 
what  belongs  to  the  civil  magistrate,  either  as  an  officer  of 
State,  or  a  minister  of  justice  among  the  citizens.  The  line 
between  the  Church  and  State  being  so  fine,  we  know  not 
how  to  draw  it,  therefore  we  leave  it  to  Christian  prudence 
and  longer  experience  to  determine." 

The  other  resolutions  are  all  found  in  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  in  their  spirit,  in  the  rules  given  for  the  management 
of  a  single  session,  with  this  exception,  that  it  was  deter- 
mined that  in  this  joint  session  "a  quorum  to  do  business 
shall  not  be  less  than  a  moderator  and  three  elders,"  and 
that  in  matters  of  discipline  there  shall  be  "no  non  liquet 
votes  permitted." 

We  can  readily  infer  that  no  precedent  of  this  nature  had 
ever  taken  place  either  in  this  country  or  in  Europe;  but  the 
obstacles  to  the  growth  of  religion  were  so  great  that  extra- 
ordinary rules  had  to  be  adopted  to  guide  with  discretion,  a 
church  recently  planted,  that  was  surrounded  with  the  de- 
moralizing influences  of  war.  But  the  people  were  fortunate 
indeed  to  have  men  in  their  double  session  who  had  most 
skillfully  and  successfully  declared  independence  and  made 
it  good,  although  it  was  the  wonder  of  the  world. 

This  union  of  the  sessions  was  productive  of  most  happy 
consequences  to  the  two  congregations,  particularly  during 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  263 

the  Struggle  with  French  infidelity,  and  had  the  effect  to  pre- 
serve the  spirit  of  Presbyterianism  and  sound  principles, 
and  free  religion. 

The  elders  were  jealous  of  any  intermingling  of  Church 
and  State,  even  in  the  proceedings  of  sessions,  and  endeav- 
ored to  keep  both  civil  and  religious  freedom,  entirely  sepa- 
rating political  and  ecclesiastical  proceedings  as  completely 
as  possible. 

All  the  difficulty  probably  arose  from  the  fact  that  some 
of  the  elders  were  magistrates,  and  they  feared  lest,  in  the 
public  estimation,  or  their  own  action,  the  two  offices  might 
be  blended  in  their  exercise.  This  was  an  age  that  required 
a  great  deal  of  vigilance  on  both  the  part  of  the  State  and 
Church,  to  prevent  atheism  from  sapping  the  foundation  of 
the  Church,  and  anarchy  from  destroying  our  political  free- 
dom, we  contended  for  under  the  form  of  Republicanism. 


Methodists  in  the  County. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  Methodism 
had  no  start  in  Mecklenburg  county.  In  fact  it  was  scarcely 
heard  of  in  America.  John  Wesley,  the  father  of  Method- 
ism, was  born  in  1703  and  died  in  1791.  He  was  born  in 
England,  was  not  satisfied  with  the  Episcopal  Church, 
made  what  he  thought  were  needed  reforms  in  the  Church 
of  England,  and  was  made  sport  of,  the  higher  classes 
calling  the  new  sect  "Methodists."  Their  first  two  churches 
— one  in  Ferrel  Town — ^in  the  extreme  western  p'art  of  Mal- 
lard Creek  Township,  called  "Bethesda,"  now  rotted  down. 
The  other  is  in  Providence  Township,  named  "Harrison" 
church.  They  were  built  about  181 5.  They  began  with  the 
poorest-  people,  that  class  above  all  others  who  would  feel 
the  need  of  a  Saviour.  The  number  of  adherents  soon 
doubled  and  trebled  their  start;  but  unfortunately,  educa- 
tion at  that  time  was  at  a  low  ebb.  In  and  about  1825  and 
1835,  those  in  charge  of  the  churches  would  allow  almost 
any  one  to  preach.  In  this  way  the  church  was  brought  into 
disrepute,  and  many  things  were  permitted  that  if  they  had 
been  better  educated  would  not  have  wrought  so  much  evil, 
and  held  back  the  Church  in  its  onward  march.  By  1850 
their  ministry  was  much  better  prepared  for  the  work  they 
were  engaged  in.  Camp  meetings  were  very  common  at 
that  time.  At  almost  every  church  you  would  see  log 
cabins  in  rows  around  the  arbor,  or  church;  and  at  some 
places  there  would  be  two  rows  oi  tents  or  cabins.  These 
meetings  would  last  from  one  to  two  weeks,  and  I  would  say 
here  that  camp  meetings  were  not  confined  solely  to  the 
Methodists,  but  Baptists,  and  especially  Presbyterians,  held 
these  meetings  in  the  early  years  of  the  century.  People 
would  attend  these  meetings  in  covered  wagons,  going  from 
fifty  to  one  hundred  miles. 

The  whole  face,  or  appearance  of  the  coimtry  has  been 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  265 

changed  during-  tlie  last  hundred  years,  not  only  physically 
and  intellectually,  but  theoloig-ically.  When  Methodists 
were  firmly  in  the  saddle,  we  had  in  earnest,  "The  Gospel  on 
horseback."  It  should  be  added  that  a  Methodist  preacher 
was  never  known  tO'  ride  a  poor  horse;  he  would  always 
look  after  the  welfare  of  his  horse.  This  travel  from  one 
church  to  another,  afforded  him  the  only  time  he  ever  got 
to  prepare  his  sermons;  but  then  he  had  the  advantage  of 
using  the  same  sermon  at  every  church  in  his  circuit.  In 
the  rapid  march  of  time,  the  mile  posts  are  plainly  marked 
in  Mecklenburg  by  the  advancement  of  Methodism.  We 
have  seen  its  advent  in  the  back  woods  of  Mecklenburg  in 
the  early  years  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  we  have  witnessed 
its  phenomenal  growth,  and  before  the  close  of  the  century 
in  which  it  started  on  the  race,  it  came  to  the  goal,  neck 
and  neck  with  those  who  were  far  in  the  lead  at  the  start. 
The  Methodists  are  far  behind  some  others  in  beautiful 
houses  of  worship,  and  schools  for  the  education  of  their 
boys  and  girls ;  but  judging  the  future  by  the  past,  the 
time  is  rapidly  hastening  when  they  will  have  schoiols  rival- 
ing Greensboroi  and  other  places. 

Dr.  David  R.  Dunla;p  and  his  brother-in-law,  Brawley 
Oates,  were  the  first  men  of  learning  and  influence  in  Char- 
lotte or  in  the  county  who  espoused  the  claims  set  forth  by 
Wesley,  and  followed  by  thousands  since  Dunlap  and  Oates 
have  fallen  asleep.  They  were  not  only  active  men  in  the 
Church,  but  took  an  active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  county. 
Their  houses  were  known  to  all  the  ministers  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  State;  they  all  'had  a  standing  invitation  to  make 
their  houses  their  home  when  traveling  from  church  to 
church,  while  on  their  circuit  visiting  their  several  charges. 

To  show  the  want  of  thorough  education  in  the  ministry 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  an  anecdote  of  how  preaching  was 
carried  on  at  old  Bethesda,  in  Ferrel  Town,  about  1845,  is 
related.  There  was  a  local  Methodist  preacher  living  near 
there  by  the  name  of  Harvey  Montgomery,  a  most  worthy 
and  estimable  gentleman,  a  man  of  a  fairly  good  education, 


266  HISTORY    OF 

but  a  slow  talker.  On  the  Sunday  alluded  to  he  was  in  the 
]^>ulpit  with  Kinchin  Howell  sitting  by  his  side.  Howell  was 
grossly  ignorant  of  letters,  could  not  even  read,  but  was 
proficient  in  prayer,  and  was  particularly  fond  of  "exhort- 
ing.". When  the  time  arrived  for  preaching  to  begin,  Mr. 
Montgomery  went  through  the  preliminai-y  services  and 
gave  out  his  text.  When  the  congregation  was  surprised  to 
see  Mr.  Howell  jump  up  and  push  Mr.  Montgomery  to  one 
side  saying.  Harvey,  you  do  t'he  reading  and  let  me  do  the 
'spounding."  and  the  service  was  concluded  in  the  usual 
way,  in  perfect  harmony,  and  all  appeared  pleased. 

Education  has  done  more  for  this  branch  of  the  Church 
during  the  last  fifty  years  than  any  other  creed  or  form  of 
belief.  In  the  first  years  of  the  century,  infidelity  was  in 
the  front  rank,  and  had  for  those  who  espoused  its  cause 
many  of  the  brightest  minds  in  the  whole  country;  but  as 
camp  meetings  became  common,  and  revivals  were  held  in 
many  places  and  Christians  of  every  name  participated  in 
the  protracted  meetings,  and  there  was  wonderful  manifesta- 
tions of  the  divine  power  exhibited  everywhere,  the  infidels 
were  converted,  or  fled  the  country,  taking  their  literature 
with  them.  The  leading  ministers  will  compare  favorably 
with  any  other  denomination ;  and  all  are  working  harmo- 
niously together  for  the  general  good  of  our  fellowmen, 
and  the  advancement  of  the  Kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ. 

HARRISON     METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH,    SOUTH. 

Harrison  Methoidist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  is  located 
on  the  extreme  southern  border  of  Mecklenburg  county, 
North  Carolina,  and  near  the  South  Carolina  line,  on  the 
waters  of  Clemb's  branch,  in  South  Carolina,  and  McAlpin's 
creek,  in  North  Carolina,  on  the  public  road  from  Charlotte 
to  Lancaster.  It  was  organized  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
Eighteenth  century,  in  the  South  Carolina  Conference, 
which  was  organized  in  the  year  1785.  This  church  was 
built  of  hewn  logs  and  knotched  up  in  the  old-fashioned 


M  KC  K I  ,K  N  H  L!  RG    CO  I T  N  T  Y .  267 

way,  covered  witii  oak  boards  and  the  cracks  between  the 
logs  filled  in  with  clay  mortar.  The  church  was  about  forty 
feet  long-  and  thirty  feet  wide,  with  pulpit  in  (ine  end  and  a 
large  batten  door  in  the  other,  with  seats  made  of  split  slabs, 
as  there  were  no  saw  mills  in  the  coimtry  then.  Harrison 
was  the  first  Methodist  church  in  Mecklenburg  county,  and 
one  of  the  first  in  North  Carolina;  and,  as  church  records 
were  unknow-n  in  those  days,  little  of  the  early  hisftory  of 
the  church  has  been  preserved,  but  early  in  the  Nineteenth 
century  its  membership  consisted  of  only  a  few  families. 

As  they  were  familiarly  known  by  all  that  knew  them, 
old  uncle  James  Davis  Johnathan  and  Daniel  Mills  were  the 
founders  and  supporters  of  the  church.  Uncle  Johnny  was 
the  licensed  exhorter  and  Uncle  Daniel  the  class  leader,  and 
in  the  absence  of  the  preacher  they  would  hold  services,  and 
as  the  circuit  then  embraced  several  counties,  they  only  had 
preaching  once  a  month  by  the  pastor  in  charge.  As  the 
Presbyterian  Church  pre-occupied  and  held  full  possession 
of  this  country  and  Providence  church  had  been  organized  in 
1765,  and  every  family  that  was  able  to  have  horses  and 
vehicles  attended  Providence,  and  only  those  who  were  too 
poor  to  have  these  conveyances  attended  Harrison,  the  old 
log  meeting  house,  as  it  was  then  called,  and  the  new  meth- 
ods of  Methodism  were  regarded  scornfully,  and  the  best  of 
society  were  ashamed  to  be  seen  at  Hamson.  But  in  1847, 
the  South  Carolina  Conference  appointed  to  the  Charlotte 
circuit  two  very  able  preachers,  Claudius  H.  Pritchard  and 
William  M.  Barringer,  the  latter  was  a  brother  of  the  Hons. 
Victor,  Monroe  and  Gen.  Rufus  Barringer,  of  North  Car- 
olina. In  August  of  that  )''ear  they  held  a  great  revival  of 
religion  at  the  Harrison  log  meeting  house.  The  inta-est 
grew  and  the  congregations  became  so  large  that  it  became 
necessary  to  erect  a  stand  and  a  brush  arbor  in  the  grove. 
Services  were  held  day  and  night  for  several  weeks  and  the 
whole  country  for  miles  around  was  aroused  on  the  subject 
of  religion  as  it  never  had  been  before,  scores  were  con- 
verted and  joined  the  church  and  from  the  time  of  that  meet- 


268  HISTORY    OF 

ing  Methodism  began  to  grow  and  became  more  respecta- 
ble in  the  community  and  embraced  many  of  the  best  and 
wealthiest  families.  Some  of  the  members  who  joined  them 
with  their  families  were  Capts.  James  B.  Robinsom,  William 
Gaylor  Stitt,  Dr.  Wm.  A.  Ardrey,  Messrs.  James  H.  Davis, 
Samuel  A.  Davis,  James  Monroe  Davis,  George  D.  Beck- 
ham, James  R.  Cunningham,  Lee  Patterson,  Nicholas  Da- 
vidson, John  O.  Moore,  Robert  Cunningham,  James  Patter- 
son, Dr.  John  S.  Porter  and  Mrs.  Mansion  and  many  others, 
a  few  of  whom  are  yet  living. 

As  a  result  of  that  meeting  and  the  decayed  and  dilapi- 
dated condition  of  the  old  church  which  was  then  consid- 
ered unsafe  to^  have  service  in,  in  1848  money  began  to  be 
raised  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  new  church.  A  build- 
ing committee  was  elected,  of  which  Dr.  Ardrey  was  chair- 
man, the  contracts  were  awarded  to  James  Davis,  of  Union 
county.  The  new  church  was  completed,  paid  for  and  then 
was  dedicated  by  Rev.  Jacob  Hill,  and  is  still  standing  and 
is  the  present  house  of  worship.  The  building  of  this  church 
was  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Methodism  not  only  in  this 
community,  but  in  the  M.  E.  Church  at  large,  as  the  General 
Conference  of  1844  passed  resolutions  reprimanding  Bishop 
Andrew  for  marrying  intO'  a  slave  holding  family,  and  in- 
forming him  that  his  services  would  not  be  acceptable  in 
some  sections  of  the  country.  Owing  to  that  controversy, 
the  Soitthern  delegates  withdrew  and  in  1845  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  was  formed  with  Bishops  Soule 
and  Andrew  at  its  head.  The  agitation  of  these  vexed  ques- 
tions of  slavery  had  not  only  disturbed  the  social  and  polit- 
ical quietude  of  our  coimtry,  but  it  was  threatening  the  life 
of  all  of  our  religious  institutions,  and  it  engulfed  us  into  a 
civil  war  from  i860  to  1865.  For  undaunted  courage  and 
true  heroism  the  world  has  never  seen  nor  recorded  its  equal. 
This  war  forever  settled  the  question  of  slavery  in  Church 
and  State,  but  the  Northern  and  Southern  Churches  have 
never  been  reunited.  Harrison  church,  like  all  the  other 
Southern   churches,    since  the  war  has   experienced   many 


MKCKLKNBURG   COUNTY.  269 

trials  and  changes  to  become  adapted  to  the  new  and  altered 
conditions  of  the  country.  Several  churches  have  grown 
out  from  this  original  organization.  Its  first  branch  was 
Hebron  M.  E.  Church,  between  Pineville  and  Charlotte. 
This  church  was  built  about  the  year  1850.  Its  founders 
were  David  P.  Lee,  Sampson  Wolfe,  John  Campbell,  and 
others.  The  next  branch  was  the  Pineville  M.  E.  Church, 
which  is  located  in  a  town  of  that  name  on  the  Charlotte, 
Columbia  and  Augusta  Railroad.  This  church  to-day 
stands  as  a  monument  to  the  late  Samuel  Younts,  his  sons 
John  A.  and  W.  S.  Younts,  and  the  late  Dr.  J.  A.  Ardrey. 
This  church  was  founded  about  1870.  The  third  branch 
was  Marvin  M.  E.  Church,  in  Union  county,  a  nice  little 
brick  building  erected  by  a  few  good  and  devoted  Christian 
men,  in  1875.  Its  founders  were  Lloyd  K.  Rone,  John  W. 
Squires,  T.  J.  Ezzell  and  Job  Crane,  And  the  last  branch 
was  Pleasant  Hill,  in  Lancaster  county,  South  Carolina,  in 
1880,  founded  by  D.  C.  Wolfe,  John  Wolfe,  John  Davidson, 
James  O.  Bales,  Lee  Patterson,  Solomon  Harris  and  his 
sons. 

The  old  church  was  transferred  to  the  North  Carolina 
Conference  in  1889,  when  the  State  line  was  made  the  Con- 
ference line.  It  still  has  about  the  usual  number  of  mem- 
bers and  now,  in  1902,  money  is  subscribed  and  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  and  modern  church  is  begun.  The  building 
committee  is  W.  E.  Ardrey,  chairman;  W.  E.  Cunningham, 
secretary;  John  N.  Harris,  treasurer;  James  A.  Kerr,  H. 
N.  Patterson,  W.  F.  McGinn  and  James  P.  Ardrey,  and  we 
hope  to  complete  the  building  by  the  end  of  this  year,  1902. 

In  1 81 5  the  Sugar  Creek  circuit  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  was  composed  of  the  following  churches : 

Harrison  Meeting  House,  Bethel,  Mt  Moriah,  Rogers, 
Roses,  McCorcles,  Mayhews,  Christenberrys,  Martins,  Char- 
lotte, Chalk  Level,  Cithcoats,  Hyatira,  Wallases,  Newhope, 
Howells.  The  presiding  elder  was  Rev.  Daniel  Asbury;  the 
preacher  in  charge  was  Rev.  W.  B.  Barnett. 

This  circuit  was  then  in  the  South  Carolina  Conference. 


270  HISTORY    OF 

In  1818  the  first  Quarterly  Conference  was  held  at  Harrison 
on  March  14th.  Rev.  Jesse  Richardson  was  presiding 
elder,  and  Rev.  Reuben  Tucker  pastor.  Rev.  Jacob  Hill  v^as 
pastor  in  1 82 1 . 

Harrison  has  furnished  the  following  ministers:  Rev. 
W.  S.  Rone,  Presiding  Elder  in  the  North  Carolina  Con- 
ference; Rev.  R.  S.  Howie,  of  the  Western  North  Carolina 
Conference;  Rev.  John  Loyd  Howie,  of  the  Congregational 
Church;  Rev.  W.  B.  Lee,  missionary  to  Brazil;  Rev.  John 
Davis,  of  the  South  Carolina  Conference;  Rev.  John  Owen, 
of  the  South  Carolina  Conference. 


RomaLrv  Cattholic  ChvircK. 

'[\ie  first  start  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  in  Char- 
lotte was  in  1836.  F'oiir  years  before  this  the  Presbyterian 
Church  was  organized,  which  was  the  first  Church  organ- 
ized in  the  town,  more  than  fifty  years  after  the  people  of 
Mecklenburg  had  declared  themselves  free  from  British 
rule.  It  is  strange  that  religion  should  have  been  so  tardy  in 
making  its  power  felt,  after  so  much  toil  and  suffering  to  es- 
tablish our  independence  here  in  this  town. 

In  1836,  Rev.  Father  McGinnis  came  here  as  a  mission- 
ary, and  secured  a  house  to  live  in  and  taught  school  in  one 
room,  had  one  room  for  a  church  in  which  he  held  wor- 
ship. He  and  his  sister  also  lived  there.  The  house,  a  frame 
building,  stood  on  the  lot  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Dr. 
John  R.  Irwin.  He  was  said  to  have  been  a  fine  schoilar 
and  a  good  teacher.  The  family  of  Nolands,  the  Hartys, 
John  Ronche  and  others  from  the  surrounding  country  at- 
tended church  here.  Mr.  McGinnis  only  stayed  one  or  two 
years,  after  which  service  was  held  by  missionaries,  as  it 
was  convenient  for  one  to  come,  until  a  churdh  was  built  in 
1 85 1.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  by  Rev.  J.  J.  O'Connell, 
D.  D.  The  church  was  built  by  Patrick  Harty  and  Ed. 
Lonergan.  Henry  Severs  carried  the  brick.  The  church 
was  small,  like  the  congregation,  but  in  the  last  fifty"  years 
the  membership  has  increased  so  rapidly,  the  old  church 
has  been  torn  away,  and  a  handsome  structure  fills  its  place, 
keeping  pace  with  the  growing  city,  and  the  increasing  con- 
gregation. The  present  large  and  handsome  church  was 
built  in  1890.  Many  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  town  now 
hold  their  membership  there.  Fifty  years  has  made  won- 
derful changes  in  Charlotte,  and  in  nothing  do  we  see  it 
more  than  in  the  magnificent  temples  of  worship  that  arise 
in  the  various  wards,  to  point  passers  by  to  a  lasting  habita- 
tion in  the  world  to  come. 


"Bhe  Associate  Reformed  Presbyteriatns. 

In  Mecklenburg  county  this  body  of  Christians  were  not 
very  numerous  one  hundred  years  ago.  Only  in  certain 
sections  of  the  county  were  they  sufficiently  numerous  to 
have  a  house  of  worship.  About  1795  Gilead  church,  and 
Steele  Creek — to  distinguish  it  from  the  Presbyterian 
church — it  was  called  "Little  Steele  Creek."  It  is  more 
than  probable  these  were  the  two  first  churches  by  that  de- 
nomination. The  building  of  Gilead  church  was  first  in- 
tended to  be  at  Baker's  Grave  Yard,  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  north  of  the  church.  This  old  burying  place  was  used 
long  before  any  church  was  built.  The  Rev.  John  Thomp- 
son, a  Presbyterian  minister,  and  his  son-in-law,  — .  — . 
Baker,  were  the  first  persons  to  be  buried  there.  Also  Maj. 
John  Davidson's  sister,  Mary,  who  married  a  Mr.  Price, 
and  many  of  her  descendants.  The  church  (Gilead)  was 
built  fifteen  miles  from  Charlotte,  on  the  Beattie's  Ford 
Road,  on  the  spot  once  occupied  by  a  fort,  to  protect  the 
early  settlers'  cattle  and  horses  from  roving  bands  of  In- 
dians. Miss  Nilley  Torrance,  who  died  more  than  fifty 
years  ago,  said  that  she  had  often  seen  the  fort  when  hunt- 
ing her  father's  cattle  and  horses.  She  lived  with  her  sister 
Jane,  who  married  Andrew  Barry,  a  son  of  the  patriot, 
Richard  Barry.  Their  offspring  still  occupy  the  old  home- 
stead; but  how  much  of  interest,  especially  of  the  people 
who  once  lived  in  this  section,  has  passed  away  unhonored 
and  unsung,  not  even  noted  down  that  it  might  be  made 
known  to  the  children,  in  the  shape  of  legends  or  fairy  tales, 
to  preserve  the  local  civilization  of  the  Eighteenth  century. 

Rev.  James  McKnight  was  probably  the  most  noted  man, 
and  the  hardest  worked  preacher  of  the  Associated  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church.  Rev.  John  Boyce  was  the 
first  pastor  of  Gilead.  He  was  in  charge  of  Coddle  Creek, 
Prosperity,  Gilead  and  Hopewell,  in  South  Carolina.     He 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  273 

could  not  have  given  more  than  one-fourth  of  his  time  to 
either  one  of  his  several  charges.  He  could  not  have  conr 
tinued  here  more  than  five  years,  as  he  died  March  i8,  1793, 
and  was  buried  at  Hopewell,  in  South  Carolina,  The  sec- 
ond pastor  of  Gilead  was  Rev.  James  McKnight.  He  had 
charge  of  Gilead,  Coddle  Creek,  and  Prosperity;  installed  in 
1797.  He  continued  to  serve  these  churches  for  many  years 
and  ended  his  course  September  17,  1831.  He  was  a  most 
remarkable  preacher.  Two  sermons  a  day  was  his  ordinary 
rule.  Beginning  by  10  o'clock,  and  giving  a  short  interval 
for  refreshments,  he  would  preach  some  times  until  it  was 
so  dark  he  would  call  for  candles  to  read  and  sing  the  last 
Psalm.  The  stars  would  be  shining  brightly  before  the  peo^ 
pie  would  reach  home,  if  they  had  but  two  or  three  miles 
to  go.  It  was  common  for  them  to  provide  themselves  with 
pine  torches  to  light  them  home. 

Rev.  John  Hunter,  a  man  of  great  ability,  immensely  pop- 
ular with  the  people,  and  was  always  heard  gladly  by  the 
common  people.  He  had  a  peculiar  intonation  of  voice  that 
always  held  the  attention  of  his  audience.  He  was  installed 
at  Gilead  in  1844  for  half  his  time,  and  at  Prosperity.  After 
several  years  he  was  transferred  to  Sardis,  and  remained 
there  till  he  had  run  his  course.  At  Gilead  he  was  a  welcome 
visitor,  and  loved  by  all  his  people. 

Rev.  Alexander  Ranson,  D.  D.,  was  one  of  the  ablest  men 
in  the  ministry  of  any  church.  He  was  pastor  of  Gilead 
and  Prosperity  for  eighteen  or  twenty  years.  His  neighbors 
and  thO'Se  who  knew  him  best,  thought  he  was  one  of  the 
best  men  living  in  the  world.  Rev.  R.  T.  Taylor  served 
Prosperity  and  Gilead  after  Mr.  Hunter,  for  about  ten 
years;  and  he  was  followed  by  Dr.  Ranson,  who  served 
the  churches  with  great  acceptability.  The  t\yo  churches 
paid  him  a  very  small  pittance.  His  wife  was  exceed- 
ingly delicate,  but  when  able,  would  teach  school.  Dr. 
Ranson  had  many  warm  friends  who  contributed  much  to 
render  the  last  years  of  his  life  bright  and  pleasant,  although 
his  bodily  pain  was  very  great.     A  son  and  daughter  soon. 


274  HISTORY    OF 

followed  him  to  the  spirit  world.  The  instruction  given 
by  such  a  man,  we  will  expect  to  hear  from  as  it  flows 
on  down  the  stream  of  time.  Much  of  the  good  being  done 
all  through  the  upper  end  of  Mecklenburg  is  due  to  the 
godly  life  of  Dr.  Alexander  Ranson. 

Rev.  J.  T,  Chalmers,  who  died  several  years  ago,  preached 
at  Little  Steele  Creek  and  accomplished  a  great  deal  of  good. 
In  a  previous  place  an  account  of  that  part  of  the  county  is 
given,  and  will  not  be  rehearsed  here. 

His  son,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Chalmers,  was  a  man  of  feeble 
physical  frame,  but  of  a  giant  intellect.  He  began  preaching 
in  South  Carolina,  but  in  after  years  became  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  in  Charlotte.  He  continued  pastor  oi  the  First 
Church  until  1900,  when  his  health  became  too  feeble,  when 
he  went  to  Mexico  hooping  to  regain  his  health.  But  his 
work  appeared  to  be  done.  He  arrived  home  about  1902, 
and  gradually  sank  to  rest  in  the  spring  of  the  same  year. 

Rev.  J.  G.  McLaughlin  is  probably  the  oldest  minister  in 
the  State — active  minister.  He  is  83.  He  has  been  relieved 
of  the  burden  of  Back  Creek  church,  and  only  preaches  when 
he  feels  able.  He  has  been  pastor  of  the  Church  for  many 
years,  and  will  remain  with  the  people  while  life  lasts.  A 
few  years  ago  he  was  sorely  tried  in  the  furnace  of  affliction. 
He  lost  his  wife  and  three  grown  children  in  one  season  with 
fever.  It  looked  as  if  he  was  to  be  tried  as  Job;  but  he  had 
many  friends  that  proved  to  be  friends  in  deed.  He  is  still 
•cheerful  as  the  years  go  by,  knowing  that  he  has  to  wait  but 
.:a  little  while  longer.  All  the  churches  of  this  denomination 
are  in  a  prosperous  condition.  For  the  last  hundred  years 
they  have  been  very  cautious  to  have  all  their  ministry  edu- 
.  cated  men.  That  being  an  absolute  necessity  to  preserve  the 
honorable  standing  of  the  Church,  not  only  in  Mecklenr 
■,burg,  but  throughout  the  country.  And  it  will  not  be  amiss 
to  say  their  ministry  of  to-day  are  in  the  van  with  the  leadr 
crs  of  any  other  demomination. 

As  many  things  in  this  county  are  dated  before  or  after 
the  war,  we  will  say  this  denominiation  had  no  foothold  in 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  275 

Charlotte  in  ante-bellum  times.  Probably  Maj.  Jenning's 
B.  Kerr's  family  was  the  only  "seceders"  in  the  town. 

Where  the  Queen  City  Hotel  now  stands  was  the  first 
church  they  ever  had.  It  would  seat  probably  200  people, 
ten  years  ago.  Now  they  have  two  most  elegant  churches, 
with  two  of  the  best  preachers  in  the  city.  They  are  now 
reaching  out,  lengthening  their  cords  and  strengthening 
their  stakes. 

In  the  last  half  of  the  Nineteenth  century  there  has  been 
a  wonderful  growth  in  all  denominations.  This  was  to  be 
expected,  as  the  poi>ulation  came  from  various  quarters,  and 
brought  the  seeds  of  their  religion  with  them,  as  there  are 
few  people  but  who  are  more  or  less  biased  in  their  religious 
views. 


15he  Luthera-n  Church. 

There  was  no  Lutheran  Church  or  minister  in  Mecklen- 
burg county  prior  to  1850.  There  was  but  few,  if  any,  Ger- 
man emigrants  that  ever  stopped  in  this  county.  Nearly 
all  stopped  in  Rowan,  Cabarrus  and  Catawba  counties. 
These  counties  were  largely  settled  with  Dutch,  conse- 
quently they  have  a  large  following  of  Lutherans.  In  1885 
a  large  and  elegant  Lutheran  church  (St.  Mark's)  was  com- 
pleted. For  several  years  it  was  served  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Bow- 
man, D.  D.,  who  came  from  Charleston,  S.  C.  He  was  a 
very  learned  man,  of  great  piety,  and  was  much  esteemed 
by  all  the  good  people  of  the  city,  without  regard  to  race  or 
denomination.  His  health  became  too  feeble  to  perform 
the  duties  of  pastor,  tendered  his  resignation  and  in  a  short 
time  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  at  a  ripe  old  age. 

In  the  year  1898  the  services  of  Rev.  R.  C.  Holland, 
D.  D.,  was  secured.  He  gives  very  general  satisfaction  to 
his  people,  and  is  popular  with  the  combined  ministry  of  the 
city. 


T3he  Baptist  Denominattion. 

The  Baptist  denomination  was  almost  wholly  unknown 
in  the  county  fifty  years  ago.  They  started  with  only  two  or 
three  families  in  the  town,  and  scarcely  a  half  dozen  in  the 
county.  They  have  grown  to  occupy  at  least  the  third  or 
fourth  place  in  point  of  numbers  in  the  city.  Their  leading 
ministers  are  the  peers  of  any  in  the  county.  The  Rev.  A. 
L.  Stough,  D.  D.,  of  Pineville,  was  chaplain  of  the  Thirty- 
seventh  Regiment,  N.  C.  T.,  in  the  late  Civil  War.  He  did 
not  hesitate  to  do  his  duty,  whether  in  hospital  or  field,  with- 
out favor  or  affection.  He  is  now  becoming  an  old  man, 
has  labored  many  years  in  the  Master's  vineyard,  and  is  still 
hale  and  hearty,  and  looks  as  if  he  would  be  able  for  much 
service  for  several  years  to  come. 

I  am  aware  that  it  is  not  considered  good  taste  to  criticise 
the  living,  but  as  the  name  of  the  author  is  always  obtaina- 
ble, I  hope  no  one  will  deny  me  the  pleasure  of  bearing  tes- 
timony to  the  patriotism  of  those  who  sacrificed  the  pleas- 
ures of  home  for  the  hardships  and  privations  of  a  soldier's 
life  in  the  tented  field.  Chaplain  Stough  deserved  well  of 
his  brother  Christians.  He  labored  in  camp,  denouncing 
wickedness  in  high  places,  without  the  fear  of  officers  before 
his  eyes.  I  have  seen  him  passing  among  the  wounded  at 
the  field  hospital,  carrying  two  canteens,  one  containing 
water  and  the  other  whiskey,  administering  to  the  urgent 
calls  of  the  woimded  and  dying  Confederate  soldiers.  At  all 
hours  of  the  day  and  night  could  this  be  seen. 

Rev.  A.  L.  Stough  deserves  a  monument  to  preserve  his 
devotion  to  the  welfare  of  the  Confederate  soldier.  His 
good  name  will  ever  remain  green  with  all  classes  of  Chris- 
tians, with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 

In  another  place  Dr.  Pritchard  has  been  spoken  of  as  the 
boys'  friend.  He  was  the  mainstay  of  the  Baptist  Church 
for  many  years ;  but  he  served  his  day.  and  has  gone  up 


2y^  HISTORY   OF 

higher,  as  the  student  passes  from  the  Academy  to  the  Uni- 
versity. The  Baptist  churches  oi  the  city  are  ably  served 
by  men  entirely  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  The  in- 
crease of  the  numbers  of  membership  has  been  phenomenal, 
and  requires  a  continual  lengthening  of  cords  and  strength- 
ening of  stakes  to  provide  room  to  accommodate  all  who 
come.  We  are  pleased  to  note  the  fact  that  all  denomina- 
tions are  getting  closer  together  than  they  have  ever  been 
before.     Is  it  not  a  signi  of  the  coming  of  the  millenium? 


Rock  Springs  Burying  Ground. 

Rock  Spring-s  burying  ground  is  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
county.  There  is  no  data  by  which  any  one  can  tell  when 
the  first  grave  was  dug  in  this  quiet  and  secluded  spot. 
From  what  we  know  of  the  early  historv^  of  the  county, 
Rocky  River  and  Sugar  Creek  were  the  first  churches  estab- 
lished in  the  county;  but  we  have  undoubted  evidence  that 
there  were  places  oi  burjang-  the  dead  several  years  before 
any  church  was  built.  And  it  may  be  so  here.  At  any  rate, 
there  is  no  church  nearer  than  Philadelphia,  and  it  is  at  least 
one  and  a  half  miles  distant.  Whether  the  people  thoug'ht 
a  church  would  be  built  in  the  distant  future,  we  have  no 
way  of  telling.  But  in  those  early  days  the  people  thought 
it  no  hardship  tO'  ride  ten  to  twenty  miles  to  attend  church, 
and  to  enquire  after  the  welfare  of  their  friends  and  kin- 
dred. Here  we  find  a  city  of  almost  forgotten  dead.  A 
few  tombstones  are  standing  of  as  beautiful  marble  as  we 
now  see  in  well-kept  cemeteries.  Others  are  of  very  dark 
stone,  but  well  polished.  Some  are  soap-stone,  and  some 
look  as  if  they  had  been  plank,  and  handsomely  dressed; 
while  some  graves  look  as  if  an  ordinary  stone  had  been 
placed  at  either  end.  But  veiT-  few  have  been  buried  in  the 
last  seventy-five  years.  The  graveyard  is  on  the  northwest 
side  of  the  road  leading  from  Mint  Hill  to  the  Stanly  cor- 
ner, Marven,  Albemarle,  etc.  It  has  been  enclosed  with  a 
rock  wall.  It  is  now  nearly  flat,  can  be  walked  over  any- 
where. There  was  one  acre  of  ground  enclosed,  and  looks 
as  if  it  was  all  used  up.  There  was  a  ditch  four  or  six  feet 
wide,  and  probably  as  deep,  around  the  four  sides;  the  wall 
was  inside  the  ditch.  There  are  but  few  large  trees  among 
the  tombs,  but  full  of  small  growth. 

Some  of  the  names  and  dates  we  found  are  given : 

Maj.  James  Harris,  born  Dec.  25,    1772.  died  Sept.  7, 


28o  HISTORY   OF 

1811 ;  Samuel  L.  Harris,  born  1767,  died  1798;  Mary  Har- 
ris, born  July  14,  1749,  aged  73. 

Catherine  Maxwell,  born  1774,  died  1825. 

Elizabeth  Wilson,  born  in  the  year  1800,  died  in  1832.    . 

Adam  Alexander  (one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration), 
died  Nov.  13,  1798,  aged  70  years  and  7  months;  Mary,  his 
wife,  died  Nov,  26,  181 3,  aged  78  years,  3  months. 

Robert  Queery,  died  Aug.  25,  1827,  aged  64  years. 

Samuel  Harris,  died  1825,  aged  83;  Margaret  Harris, 
died  1782,  aged  58;  Jane  Harris,  died  1797,  aged  42.  (One 
wide  tombstone.) 

Wm.  Morris,  died  1804,  aged  59. 

Elizabeth  Morris,  born  1750,  died  1821.- 

Hannah  Moore,  died  1821,  aged  58. 

Elizabeth  Moore,  died  181 1,  aged  18. 

Elizabeth  Rabb,  died  1792,  aged  40. 

Andrew  Rodgers,  died  1792,  aged  25. 

Elizabeth  Wilson,  died  1802. 

No  person  now  living  can  tell  us  of  the  hundreds  who 
sleep  in  this  almost  forgotten  spot.  Was  there  no  historian 
near  this  silent  city  to  hand  down  to  the  future,  that  gener- 
ations yet  unborn  may  know  what  manner  of  people  pre- 
ceded them,  or  are  we  to  lose  the  labors  of  all  those  who 
preceded  us  on  account  of  not  keeping  record?  We  are 
truly  a  people  who  make  history,  but  we  have  been  too  negli- 
gent about  preserving  it.  Others  come  in  and  rob  us  of  a 
well-earned  fame  in  many  things  we  have  been  remiss  in  not 
asserting  our  rights. 


S\iga.r  Creek  Church. 

Near  the  gate  of  Sugar  Creek's  second  graveyard,  south 
of  the  road,  is  to  be  seen  the  stone  that  marks  the  grave  of 
.  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Caldwell,  a  grand-son  of  Alexander  Craig- 
head, whose  ashes  rest  in  the  first  cemetery,  who  died  sixty 
years  before  Mr.  Caldwell  finished  his  course. 

The  spot  which  he  selected,  and  where  they  made  his 
grave,  was  just  beneath  that  part  of  the  old  log  house  where 
the  communion  table  was  spread  (in  that  day  had  long 
tables  that  extended  clear  across  the  church,  with  suitable 
benches,  so  that  communicants  could  sit  around  the  table  to 
partake  of  the  feast ;  when  one  table  was  served  they  would 
give  way  to  others,  until  all  were  served),  from  which  he 
had  so  often  dispensed  the  emblems  of  Christ  crucified; 
where  he  took  the  vows  of  ordination,  and  where  he  knelt, 
when  by  prayers  and  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presby- 
tery, he  was  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Though 
the  war  for  liberty  and  independence  had  ended  in  glorious 
triumph  several  years  before  the  beginning  of  Mr.  Cald- 
well's ministry,  yet  it  was  followed  by  another  conflict,  in- 
volving far  more  sacred  principles  and  interests  than  those 
which  had  been  so  heroically  defended.  Following  that 
seven  years'  war  came  in  like  a  flood,  the  rise  and  rapid 
spread,  over  many  parts  of  the  country,  and  particularly 
over  Mecklenburg  county,  the  proud  waters  of  French  in- 
fidelity; threatening  the  liberty  of  those  whom  the  truths  of 
the  Gospel  make  free.  Caldwell  and  Wallis,  of  Providence, 
were  found  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  with  this  foe,  in  their 
respective  congregations.  Reared  in  times  which  tried 
men's  souls  and  developed  some  of  the  grandest  characters, 
both  these  men  proved  themselves  worthy  sons  of  their 
noble  ancestors,  and  worthy  defenders  of  the  precious  truths 
of  the  Gospel.  An  infidel  club  had  been  organized  for  the 
purpose  of  propagating  their  philoisophy,   which  called  in 


282  HISTORY    OF 

question  everything  connected  with  the  Bible  and  its  olaims 
upon  the  human  reason  and  conscience.  The  burning  ques- 
tion discussed  on  all  occasions  was,  whether  the  Bible  or 
reason  should  be  the  guide  of  human  conscience.  This  dis- 
cussion was  often  hot  and  gave  rise  to  bitter  contests. 

The  society  above  mentioned  gathered  its  members  from 
Sugar  Creek,  Providence  and  Steele  Creek,  and  met  at  a 
point  somewdiere  between  those  three  settlements.  They  had 
a  library  well  supplied  with  works  written  in  defense  of 
infidel  views  of  religion  and  morality.  This  society  em- 
braced men  of  wealth  and  talent. 

Wallis,  then'  pastor  of  Providence  and  Steele  Creek,  and 
Caldwell,  of  Sugar  Creek,  met  these  enemies  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion  with  fearless  and  unflinching  fidelity.  Wallis 
prepared  a  pamphlet  of  marked  ability,  and  well  adapted  to 
meet  the  demands  of  truth  and  righteousness,  which  was 
widely  circulated. 

So  while  Sugar  Creek  was  found  in  the  front  ranks  of 
those  who  rose  up  to  defend  human  rights  and  liberty, 
through  her  Caldwell,  and  Wallis,  born  and  reared  in  her 
bounds,  she  was  fotmd  equally  faithful  and  efficient  in  de- 
fending the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God.  The  forces  of  in- 
fidelity seems  to  have  met  their  final  and  almost  complete 
overthrow  in  the  great  revival  of  1802.  An  incident  con- 
nected with  that  infidel  club  was  related  to  me  by  an  old 
uncle,  who  removed  away  from  Providence  to>  Tennessee 
about  1803,  and  who  was  then  a  full  grown  man,  and  a  sub- 
ject of  the  saving  work  of  the  revival. 

One  of  the  members  oif  the  club  of  infidels  was  taken 
seriously  ill,  and  it  soon  became  evident  that  his  end  was 
near.  His  infidel  friends  were  about  his  bed,  and  much 
concerned  lest  the  man  should  abandon  his  infidelity  in  the 
hour  of  death.  They  encouraged  him  to  hold  to  his  philos- 
ophy, repeating  the  exhortationi,  "Stick  to  it."  But  the 
foundation  of  sand  was  giving  way  before  the  poor  soul, 
and  at  last  he  replied :  "It  is  hard  to  stick  when  there  is 
nothing  to  stick  to."     And  now,  where  that  soul-destroying 


MECKLRNBURG   COUNTY.  283 

fomi  of  error  attempted  to  overthrow  the  rehgion  of  the 
Christ,  are  found  temples  of  truth,  where  the  riches  of  Jesus 
are  proclaimed  every  Sabbath,  but  scarcely  a  vestige  re- 
mains of  the  influence  of  the  infidel  club.  Now  and  then  we 
may  hear  of  one  of  their  old  books  which  have  survived, 
hidden  away  under  the  dust  of  years,  a  forgotten,  worthless, 
worm-eaten  thing. 

Though  it  has  been  the  privilege  of  the  writer  to  spend 
nearly  all  his  life  in  Mecklenburg  county,  and  work  for  the 
Master  in  many  of  its  many  churches,  he  has  never,  except 
in  one  instance,  found  any  attempt  to  circulate  the  writings 
of  infidels,  whose  works  were  found  in  that  old  library.  The 
'method  by  which  it  was  sent  abroad  was  as  unusual  as  it 
was  effective.  And  though  it  may  at  first  be  surprising 
when  stated,  that  it  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
who  was  found  scattering  those  infidel  teachings,  yet  the 
opinion  is  ventured  that  the  orthodox  of  all  Mecklenburg 
orthodoxy  will  approve  his  work.  The  good  brother  caught 
at  this  business,  had  by  some  means  got  possession  of  one 
of  those  pernicious  books,  and  being  one  of  the  most  marked 
shots  in  the  county,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  pasting  a  num- 
ber of  the  leaves  together  sufficient  to  make  the  thickness 
required.  He  would  then  take  his  wad-cutter  and,  driving  it 
down  through  the  book,  supply  himself  for  a  day's  tramp 
after  birds.  And  by  night  there  was  much  scattering  of 
infidel  sentiments  and  feathers. 

The  building  which  occupied  a  part  of  the  graveyard,  in 
which  Caldwell  was  buried,  was  the  second  house  built  by 
the  congregation.  It  was  a  plain,  substantial  log  house.  In 
order  to  secure  room  for  the  large  numbers  who  came  to 
worship  there,  the  house  was  made  of  two  lengths  of  logs, 
joined  together  at  the  middle  by  a  crib  of  short  logs,  so  put 
together  as  to  form  a  recess  on  the  inside  and  a  jutting  out 
of  several  feet  from  the  main  side  wall.  In  this  house  the 
congregation  convened  until  some  time  towards  the  latter 
part  of  his  ministry,  when  the  third  house  was  erected,  a 


284  HISTORY   OF 

brick  structure,  a  little  north  of  the  second  house,  and  on 
the  same  side  of  the  road. 

ABRAHAM    ALEXANDER. 

Towards  the  middle  of  the  yard,  near  two  large  trees,  is 
the  grave  of  Abraham  Alexander,  the  chairman  of  the 
famous  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  1775.  On  his  unpre^ 
tending  tombstone  is  found  the  inscription:  "Abraham 
Alexander,  died  April  23,  1786,  aged  68  years.  'Let  me 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like 
His.'  "  He  was  a  marked  character  and  influence,  both  in 
Church  and  State,  as  manifested  by  the  prominent  posi- 
tions in  which  he  was  placed  by  his  fellow  men.  He  was 
a  prominent  magistrate,  an  officer  which  meant  more  in  that 
day  than  in  the  present  time.  He  lived  long  enough  after 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  Charlotte,  to  see  its 
lofty  principles  triumphantly  maintained,  and  its  solemn 
determinations  executed.  His  son,  Joab,  took  his  place  as 
an  elder  of  the  church  and  magistrate  of  the  county.  He 
has  but  one  great-grandson  in  this  county,  Mr.  J.  P.  Alex- 
ander, now  an  elder  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
Charlotte. 

WILLIAM    ALEXANDER. 

Another  man  of  that  day,  William  Alexander,  is  worthy 
of  mention  as  a  man  of  courage,  who  could  be  trusted  as  a 
leader  of  men.  He  was  known  by  the  name  of  "Black 
Billy,"  given  to  distinguish  him  from  many  other  Alexan- 
ders in  the  same  and  surrounding  neighborhoods.  The  Reg- 
ulators, an  organization  of  citizens,  formed,  under  the  prov- 
ocations and  impoisitions  of  the  governor,  were  giving  him 
trouble.  The  Governor  had  ordered  out  the  militia  of  the 
western  counties  to  join  the  command  of  Gen.  Waddell.  He 
was  ordered  to  wait  at  Salisbury  for  the  militar}-  to  gather, 
and  was  delaying  his  march  to  join  the  Governor  until  a 
supply    of   ammunition    should   reach   him.      The   wagons 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  285 

which  were  bringing  powder  had  reached  a  point  near  where 
Concord  now  stands,  on  their  way  from  Charlotte,  and  en- 
camped for  the  night.  A  plan  was  at  once  formed  for  the 
destruction  of  the  powder.  Nine  men  of  Rocky  River  (the 
descendants  of  some  of  those  men  are  now  living  in  that 
congregation)  and  William  Alexander,  of  Sugar  Creek,  as 
their  leader,  bound  themselves  by  an  oath  to  stand  together 
in  the  undertaking  and  to  keep  each  other's  part  in  it  a  secret, 
blacked  their  faces  and  disguised  themselves  as  Indians  and 
about  daybreak  captured  the  convoy.  The  band  permitted 
the  drivers  and  their  teams  and  the  guard  to  go  unharmed, 
and  then  made  a  pile  of  the  powder  on  the  ground,  laid  a 
train  for  some  distance  and  set  fire  to  it. 


Steele  Creek  Church. 

This  is  one  of  the  remarkable  seven  churches  that  were 
organized  in  Mecklenburg  coitnty,  or  rather  the  place  was 
agreed  upon,  and  worship  conducted  by  the  early  settlers  for 
a  number  of  years  before  a  temple  was  built  and  dedicated  to 
the  worship  of  God.  In  this  early  period  when  the  people 
were  few  and  lived  far  apart,  the  roads  frequently  impassi- 
ble in  the  winter  season,  all  their  undertakings  were  neces- 
sarily slow  of  progress.  But  they  acted  wisely  in  securing 
eligible  locations  for  the  different  churches.  Sugar  Creek, 
near  the  centre;  Rocky  River,  in  the  east;  Poplar  Tent 
towards  the  north;  Centre,  northwest;  Hoipewell,  ten  miles 
north  of  tliie  centre ;  Providence,  to  the  south ;  Steele  Creek 
to  the  west.  This  last  was  like  her  sisters,  had  a  surround- 
ing population  of  the  best  people  in  the  world.  Originally 
the  lands  arouiud  Steele  Creek  were  fertile  and  valuable. 
Away  from  the  water  courses  the  lands  were  covered  with 
tall  grass  and  the  wild  pea  vine;  was  indeed  a  prairie,  beau- 
tiful in  its  loveliness,  undisturbed  save  only  by  the  foot  of 
the  Red  men,  the  deer  and  the  buffalo,  and  the  smaller  ani- 
mals and  variety  of  birds,  which  gave  the  appearance  of 
Eden's  beauteous  bowers  as  described  by  Milton.  The  in- 
habitants were  characterized  for  their  indiustry,  i>atriotism, 
morality  and  love  of  fair  play ;  they  were  also  noted  for  their 
love  and  rever*ence  for  truth  and  religion.  Rev.  Hugh  Mc- 
Aden,  Rev.  Elihu  Spencer,  and  Rev.  Roibert  McMordie  at 
different  times  visited  this  church  as  missionaries,  as  occa- 
sion would  permit.  This  was  tli€  only  kind  of  ministerial 
service  any  of  the  churches  had  for  several  years. 

As  a  place  of  worship,  we  can  readily  see  the  people  were 
accustomed  to  assemble  at  this  point,  near  where  the  church 
now  stands,  but  a  house  of  worship  was  not  erected  till  the 
year  1762. 

In  the  year  1706  was  organized  the  tirst  Presbyter\-  in 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  287 

America,  consisting  of  seven  ministers  and  their  churches, 
and  this  continued  the  only  advisory  and  governing  body  till 
1 71 7.  The  Church  by  this  time  had  so  increased  it  was 
considered  best  to  sul>divide  it  into'  three  other  Presbyteries, 
which  were  to  constitute  a  Synod,  which  should  meet  once  a 
year.  For  several  years  after  Steele  Creek  Church  was  or- 
ganized, it  had  to  be  watched  over  and  guarded  by  missiona- 
ries and  supplies  wherever  they  could  be  obtained.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  when  Rev.  Alexander  Craighead  ended 
his  successful  labors  in  March,  1766,  he  was  the  solitary 
minister  between  the  Yadkin  and  the  Catawba.  From  this 
time  there  was  no  settled  minister,  for  some  years,  south 
of  the  Yadkin. 

Steele  Creek's  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Robert  Henry,  from 
Donegal  Presbytery.  He  lived  but  a  few  months  and  he 
was  removed  by  death.  The  first  bench  of  ruling  elders  we 
have  any  account  of,  in  1767,  were  William  Barnett,  Walter 
Davis,  Robert 'Irwin,  Hugh  Parks,  David  Freeman,  Joseph 
Swann,  Zaccheus  W^ilson,  and  Andrew  McNeely.  For  ten 
years  their  appears  to  be  a  lapse  of  service,  at  any  rate  of 
ministerial  sendee.  But  little  service  of  a  regular  char- 
acter was  enjoyed  until  after  the  war  of  independence. 
There  is  no  portion  of  the  State  whose  early  record  presents 
a  more  glowing  page  of  patriotism  and  valor  than  Mecklen- 
burg, of  which  Steele  Creek  is  a  component  part.  It  is  not 
boasting  too  much  to  say  it  is  in  Mecklenburg  we  find  the 
birthplace  of  American  liberty.  On  the  20th  of  May,  1775, 
two  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  Col. 
Ro'bert  Irwin  and  Zaccheus  Wilson,  were  elders  in  Steele 
Creek  Church.  Of  the  twenty-seven  members  who  com- 
posed that  convention,  nine  were  known  to  have  been  elders, 
and  one  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  Rev.  Hezekiah  J.  Balch. 
Col.  Irwin  was  a  busy  man  in  all  the  conventions  held,  dur- 
ing the  war,  and  from  1778  to  1800.  he  served  as  a  miember 
of  the  Legislature  from  Mecklenburg  county. 

Debating  societies,  formed  for  political  puq>oses,  were 
common    in    those    davs.      One    of    these    societies    was 


288  HISTORY   OF  • 

formed  as  near  as  possible  in  a  central  position  between 
Sugar  Creek,  Steele  Creek  and  Providence.  It  proved  to  be 
more  for  the  interest  of  infidelity  than  for  politics.  The 
battle  between  the  crown  and  the  people  had  been  fought, 
and  the  people  were  victorious.  During  this  long  night  of 
darkness  the  enemy  had  come  in  and  sown  the  tares.  In- 
fidelity with  a  brazen  front,  was  defiant,  and  threatened  like 
an  avalanche  to  O'verrun  the  whole  country;  toi  extinguish 
the  best  hopes  of  man — yes,  threatened  the  annihilation  of 
the  Church,  and  the  ruin  of  her  Lord's  authority.  The  ques- 
tion was  debated,  "What  should  govern  conscience,  philoso- 
phy, or  the  Bible?"  At  this  time  the  authority  of  the  Bible 
underwent  a  sifting  discussion,  such  as  Carolina  had  never 
seen,  and  may  never  see  again.  About  this  time  a  most 
wonderful  revival  spread  all  over  the  country.  At  this  time 
all  bad  and  uncharitable  feeling  subsided,  and  Methodists, 
Episcopalians,  Presbyterians  and  Baptists  all  worshipped  to^ 
gether.  These  were  wonderful  meetings.  The  Holy  Spirit 
did  not  respect  the  denominational  names  by  which  they 
were  called. 

In  1795,  Concord  Presbytery  was  set  off  from  Orange, 
and  this  county  remained  in  Concord  for  seventy-five  years, 
but  is  now  in  Mecklenburg  Presbytery.  In  1778  Rev.  James 
McRee  was  elected  pastor,  and  gave  general  satisfaction. 
During  his  term  as  pastoT,  the  church  building  was  en- 
larged, as  the  congregation  had  increased  in  numbers,  and 
at  that  day  was  considered  very  elegant.  Mr.  McRee  did 
much  to  introduce  Watt's  Hymns  and  Psalms  instead  of 
Rouse's  version.  All  who  held  to  only  Rouse's  version  of 
the  Psalms  were  called  "seceders." 

Rev.  Mr.  McRee  was  born  in  Iredell  county,  N.  C,  in 
1752,  near  where  Centre  church  was  afterwards  built.  At 
this  period  all  this  territory  belonged  to  Anson  county.  He 
preached  at  Steele  Creek  about  twenty  years.  He  said: 
"Often  I  have  ridden  in  the  morning  to  Bethel  (in  S.  C), 
Providence,  Sugar  Creek,  and  Hopewell  and  preached  (two 
sermons),  and  returned  home  in  the  evening  of  the  same 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  289 

day."  Pie  preached  at  Centre  for  many  years,  and  wound 
up  his  course  at  his  son's-in-law,  Col.  Davidson,  in  Bun- 
combe county,  in  the  88th  year  of  his  age.  He  deserved 
well  of  his  country. 

In  i772-'74  Rev.  WilHam  Blackstock  came  from  Ireland 
and  was  ordained  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery 
of  the  Carolinas.  and  in  1794  he  organized  a  church  called 
"Lower  Steele  Creek,"  eight  miles  below  the  first  Steele 
Creek  church.  The  following  persons  were  elected  elders, 
viz. :  James  Grier,  James  Harris,  James  Fox,  William  Fer- 
guson and  Alexander  Scott.  Mr.  Blackstock  was  elected 
pastor,  and  served  a  few  years.  Messrs.  Dixon  and  McMil- 
lan were  the  first  Associate  ministers  who  came  to  this 
county.  Mr.  ]\IcMillan  was  soon  dismissed  for  indulging  too 
freely  in  the  intoxicating  bowl.  Afterwards  came  Revs. 
Moore,  Crie.  White  and  Pringle.  They  each  preached  at 
Lower  Steele  Creek,  and  neighboring  churches.  The  early 
ministers  had  a  vast  amount  of  work  to  do,  and  received 
but  little  sympathy,  or  remuneration  of  any  other  kind,  ex- 
cept a  self-consciousness  of  having  done  their  duty;  but 
they  have  accomplished  wonders   for  the  Church. 

It  must  not  be  concluded  that  all  the  people  of  the  county, 
or  of  Steele  Creek  were  Christians — that  none  were  repro^ 
bates;  for  this  would  lead  people  to  believe  that  the  form.er 
times  were  better  than  at  a  later  day.  Human  nature  is  the 
same  now  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  the  American  revolution. 
Infidelity  was  ten  fold  more  rampant  a  century  ago  in  Meck- 
lenburg, than  it  is  to-day ;  it  is  unpopular  now,  and  the  lead- 
ers of  thought  as,  of  fashion,  do  not  consider  it  politic  to 
advocate  that  which  would  bring  reproach  upon  society. 
This  part  of  Mecklenburg — about  1832 — became  so  infected 
with  intemperance,  infidelity  and  universalism.  that  a  large- 
part  of  Steele  Creek  and  the  adjoining  country  ceased  to  at- 
tend church.  And  soon  followed  a  fearful  deluge  of  sick- 
ness, and  many  deaths,  frequently  requiring  three  and  four 
funerals  in  a  day.  This  spread  a  dark  pall  over  the  people, 
and  made  them  think,  "Were  they  being  punished  for  their 


290  HISTORY   OF 

unbelief?"  This  falling-  away  of  so  many  from  the  ordi- 
nances of  the  church,  and  the  moving  away  of  so  many  on 
account  of  sickness,  was  a  sore  and  heavy  trial  for  the 
Church.  The  sickness  or  bad  state  of  health  kept  up  with 
more  or  less  severity  for  several  years.  The  pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
Watson,  seemed  to  suffer  the  same  as  his  people,  and  his 
health  became  so  enfeebled  that  he  resigned  in  1840.  Not- 
withstanding this  heavy  scourge,  Steele  Creek  has  been 
greatly  blesse<l,  including  Lower  Steele  Creek  and  Pleasant 
Hill.  They  increased  in  population,  were  patriotic,  believed 
in  educaiiLMi,  and  were  a  church  loving  people.  Steele  Creek 
was  organized  as  a  place  of  worship  one  hundred  and  forty 
years  ago;  and  as  compared  with  other  sections,  she  has  a 
right  to  be  proud  of  her  people.  In  her  first  settlement  and 
patriotic  impulses  to  move  forward  in  establishing  inde- 
pendence; and  to  prove  a  good  citizenship  by  promptly 
lending  forward  her  contingent  of  brave  men  to  repel  the 
enemy  in  1812  to  1814,  when  the  New  England  States  not 
only  refused  troops,  but  threatened  to  secede  from  the 
union  if  the  war  was  not  immediately  stopped.  Again,  in 
1846,  aided  in  furnishing  her  cpiota  of  men  to  fill  up  the  cav- 
alry company  commanded  by  Capts.  E.  C.  Davidson  and  J. 
K.  Harrison,  for  service  in  Akxico.  Our  pet)ple  are  em- 
phatically a  peace  loving  people,  but  by  nO'  means  will  they 
-suffer  wrong  with  impunity,  as  was  abundantly  shown  in 
Ihe  war  between  the  States. 

]\Tany  bright  names  could  be  mentioned  as  having  taken 
:a  noble  part  in  the  early  history  of  Mecklenburg,  either  in 
aiding  to  achieve  independence,  or  in  maintaining  a  republi- 
can form  of  government.  The  people  well  understood  the 
necessity  of  having  the  ruling  class  well  qualified  by  edu- 
cation, and  equally  as  necessary  that  the  common  people 
should  enjoy  the  blessing  of  education. 


Providence  Church- 

In  looking  over  the  list  of  early  settlers  of  that  portion  of 
the  State  that  was  laid  off  as  Mecklenburg  county,  in  that 
portion  bordering  on  South  Carolina,  and  afterwards  called 
Providence,  I  find  that  Henry  Downs  moved  from  Pennsyl- 
vania to  this  section  about  the  year  1760.  He  was  elected 
Captain  of  Militia  for  Providence  District,  or  "beat."  He 
was  also  made  an  elder  in  Providence  church,  which  church 
was  built  and  organized  in  1762.  He  was  also  appointed  a 
civil  officer,  or  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Pie  was  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  on  the  20th  of 
May,  1775,  in  Charlotte.  Mr.  Downs  was  now  getting  too 
old  for  military  service;  but  his  son  Thomas  was  young  and 
active,  and  entered  the  service  with  alacrity.  He  was  with 
Gen.  Gates  in  South  Carolina  in  the  battle  of  Camden,  then 
as  bushwhackers  hanging  on  the  flanks  of  Cornwallis'  army, 
as  he  came  towards  Charlotte;  and  assisted  in  giving  the 
British  a  warm  reception  around  the  old  log  court  house  that 
stood  in  the  public  square,  and  on  the  Salisbury  road  for  five 
miles.  Tarlton  must  have  suffered  severely  to  get  and  to 
hold  what  he  captured  around  Charlotte,  or  he  woiild  not 
have  called  the  place  "A  Hornet's  Nest."  The  Downs  fam- 
ily still  own  and  occupy  two  hundred  acres  of  the  original 
grant  that  was  issued  by  George  the  IV.  Many  of  these  old 
places  are  handed  down  from  sire  to  son  for  several  genera- 
tions. 

George  McKee  emigrated  to  this  section  with  the  first  set- 
tlers of  the  county.  He  was  a  pillar  of  both  Church  and 
State  in  those  early  years,  being  an  elder  in  Providence,  and 
also  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  When  the  republic  was  young, 
many  civil  cases  as  well  as  criminal,  were  adjudicated  by  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Rev.  James  Wallace  was  the  first  pastor  of  Providence 
church.     For  a  number  of  years  after  the  first  church  was 


292  HISTORY    OP 

built,  it  was  occupied  by  transient  preachers,  or  by  temporary 
sui)plies.  especially  in  the  country  one  hundred  to  two  hun- 
dred miles  from  the  sea  coast.  The  law  of  custom  had  de- 
cided tliat  the  destruction  of  manuscripts  that  had  been  left 
by  religiously  disposed  persons  was  a  part  of  preparation  for 
death,  as  solemn  and  indispensable  as  the  making  the  last 
will  and  testament.  So  very  little  of  the  records  of  thoughts 
of  these  men  have  been  preserved  from  destruction.  And 
the  unfortunate  burning  of  some  houses,  leaves  the  present 
generation  in  wondering  ignorance  of  the  trials,  and  energy, 
and  principles  of  those  brave  and  good  men.  The  grave  of 
but  one  minister  can  only  be  found  in  Providence  burying 
ground  for  the  first  century  of  the  church's  existence.  When 
you  enter  this  "old  city  of  the  dead,"  you  see  the  names  of 
some  of  the  leading  men  who  planted  the  Gospel  and  civil 
liberty  in  the  wilderness  of  the  Western  world.  Among  the 
chiseled  names  of  Stitt,  Potts,  McKee,  Rea,  Patterson,  Mc- 
Cullock,  and  Matthews,  the  oldest  of  which  bears  date  of 
1764.  The  Rev,  James  Wallace,  who  served  the  church 
from  1792  to  1 81 9.  A  lengthy  pastorate  for  that  period. 
Settlements  in  this  part  of  the  county  were  made  about  the 
same  time  as  those  in  Hopewell,  Sugar  Creek  and  Rocky 
River,  and  were  the  same  kind  of  people.  Mr.  Wallace  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  who  labored 
with  him  in  the  ministry,  and  proved  a  help  indeed.  Both 
were  buried  by  the  side  of  those  they  labored  with  for  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  in  much  love  and  harmony. 

In  this  section  the  good  people  were  in  the  habit  of  assem- 
bling in  a  grove,  near  where  the  present  church  now  stands, 
for  several  years  to  hold  divine  worship.  After  a  while  they 
built  a  log  "meeting  house"  where  stated  worship  was  held, 
and  in  1765  the  church  was  organized  and  has  continued 
ever  since  to  be  the  central  point  in  all  this  section  of  the 
county.  The  leading  spirits  of  these  early  days  were  An- 
drew Rea.  Archibald  Crocket,  Joshua  Ramsay,  and  Aaron 
Howie.     Such  men  as  these  encountered  and  bushwhacked 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  293 

CornwalHs'  army  as  he  marclied  through  Providence,  caus- 
ing severe  hardships  to  the  people. 

The  annoyance  of  the  people — the  non-combatants — were 
put  to,  the  malicious  destruction  of  property,  private  con- 
cerns, taking  away  the  comforts  and  often  the  necessities  of 
life,  was  very  trying  to  the  patriotism  and  patience  of  all 
who  loved  the  cause  of  liberty.  But  I  am  glad  to  say  that 
but  few  "took  protection"  in  all  the  bounds  of  Mecklenburg. 
In  1802  a  great  religious  revival  swept  over  this  country 
as  a  storm,  in  which  Mr.  Wallis  took  an  active  part.  This 
revival  lasted,  for  several  years,  and  it  is  hoped  forever 
downed  the  miserable  infidelity  that  had  its  origin  in  the 
French  revolution  during  the  last  decade  of  the  Eighteenth 
century.  The  following  agreement  between  the  churches 
of  Clear  Creek  fnow  called  Philadelphia),  has  been  pre- 
served by  Mr.  William  Queary. 

"Whereas,  The  representatives  of  both  congregations 
doth  unanimously  agree  among  themselves,  in  the  name  of 
both  the  aforesaid  congregations,  to  stand  and  abide  by  each 
other  from  time  to  time  through  all  difficulties,  in  order  to 
obtain  the  labors  of  a  gospel  minister,  that  is  to  say.  the  one- 


other.  And  for  a  true  and  sincere  union  for  the  truth  of 
the  aforesaid  articles,  the  representation  of  both  congrega- 
tions hath  hereunto  subscribed  their  names,  January  27, 
1770. 

"New  Providence :  John  Ramsay,  James  Linn,  John 
Hagens.  James  Houston,  Andrew  Reah,  James  Draffen, 
James  Johnston,  James  Teate,  Thomas  Black,  Robert  Stew- 
art. 

"Clear  Creek :  Adam  Alexander,  Matthew  Stewart,  John 
Queary,  Michael  Leggett,  Jobn  Ford." 

Five  years  later  two  of  the  men  who  signed  this  agreement 
signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  Charlotte,  May 
20,  1775,  Adam  Alexander  and  John  Queary,  which  shows 
that  they  were  public-spirited  men,  patriotic  and  determined 
in  whatever  business  they  engaged. 


294  HISTORY    OF 

John  Stitt  died  about  sixty  years  ago,  and  was  an  elder 
and  influential  man,  and  was  a  leading  citizen  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. We  meiiition  a  few  of  the  most  prominent,  as  it 
would  take  too  much  room  to  mention  all  the  good  and  true 
men  that  are  worthy  of  being  placed  high  up  in  the  niche  of 
fame.  A  few  others  have  a  right  to  be  noticed  ere  we  close 
this  chapter.  Col.  Solomon  Reid  was  an  important  man, 
that  both  Church  and  State  thought  well  of  and  the  four 
from  this  muster  beat  who  had  the  moral  courage  to  sign 
the  immortal  Declaration  of  Independence,  with  their  com- 
peers, Henry  Downs,  Neil  Morrison,  Robert  Harris,  and 
John  Queary. 

Richard  Peoples,  elder  in  Sardis  church,  but  a  citizen  of 
Providence,  was  a  merchant  and  postmaster  of  Hemphill's 
Store.  He  was  a  large  slave  holder  and  a  successful  farmer. 
His  son  Richard  now  owns  his  father's  farm.  He  was  a 
trpe  Confederate,  and  served  throughout  the  war  in  Brem's 
Battery,  aftenvards  Graham's,  and  then  Williams'. 


Flowers  Now  and  One  Hundred  Yeatrs  Ago. 

Times  and  customs  have  ev-er  been  subject  to  change,  but 
never  until  the  last  thirty  years  did  fashion  levy  upoii  flow- 
ers— the  prototype  of  immortality — to  adorn  the  hymeneal 
altar,  or  grace  the  sacred  desk,  or  strew  above  the  bier  of 
Icved  ones,  or  scatter  immortelles  over  the  graves  of  patriots. 
It  is  well  that  the  Nineteenth  century — the  last  third  of  the 
century — inaugurated  this  beautiful  custom  that  typifies  the 
immortality  that  awaits  us  in  the  life  beyoiid  the  grave. 

Fifty  years  or  less  have  elapsed  since  any  one  save  a  bot- 
anist, knew  anything  of  flowers,  what  they  represented,  or 
what  their  language  was.  It  was  a  rare  thing  that  any  kind 
was  met  with  save  the  wild  flower  that  was  indigenous  to 
our  fields  and  woods;  the  time  had  not  come  to  cultivate 
them  for  their  beauty  and  their  fragrance.  The  Nineteenth 
century  was  two-thirds  gone  before  a  bouquet  of  roses  did 
boncjr  to  the  sacred  desk  while  the  minister  proclaimed  the 
beautiful  parables  as  exemplified  by  the  Saviour  in  his  ser- 
mors.  Two-thirds  of  the  century  was  gone  befoTe  the 
church  or  the  private  parlor  was  decorated  with  rich  and  rare 
flowers  where  the  blushing  bride  was  made  an  help  meet  for 
the  man  of  her  choice.  And  last  but  not  least,  they  are  the 
sweet  emblems  of  the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  when 
those  who  are  considered  worthy  to  join  the  grand  caravan, 
rise  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air. 

In  1894,  when  Senator  Vance  returned  from  Florida  and 
there  was  a  large  political  meeting  being  held  in  the  Audi- 
torium between  Tryon  and  Church,  on  Sixth  street,  the  en- 
tire audience  commenced  shouting  for  Gov.  Vance — men 
and  women  standing  up,  waving  flags  and  hats  and  handker- 
chiefs, and  throwing  flowers  and  wreaths  and  boquets 
around  him  till  he  was  nearly  covered.  The  crowd  cheered 
and  called  for  him  until  he  was  helped  upon  the  stage,  and 
he  was  so  choked  with  emotion  that  he  could  not  speak  for 


296  HISTORY   OF 

several  minutes.  At  last  he  said :  "My  friends,  I  am  glad 
to  see  you ;  my  physicians  have  forbidden  me  to  speak,  so 
you  must  excuse  me."  Almost  a  wagon  load  of  flowers  were 
thrown  around  him.  Here  the  flowers  spoke  a  silent  lan- 
guage more  powerful  than  words.  They  foreshadowed  his 
approaching  dissolution  of  body  and  spirit,  and  the  eternal 
joys  of  the  Easter  awakening  that  will  bloom  till  cycles 
cease  to  run.  It  was  a  happy  thought  to  lift  the  exquisite 
floral  offering  from  its  long  sleep  of  inactivity,  to  its  place 
of  honor  and  fragrance.  Flowers  add  much  to  the  pleasures 
of  country  life,  where  books  and  papers  are  not  so  easily 
procured.  Nothing  we  can  contribute  to  the  sick  is  so 
cheery  as  a  handsome  bouquet,  freshly  plucked  from  one's 
own  o^ardeii  of  well-attended  roses  and  flowers. 


'6he  Old  Four-Horse  Statge. 

It  is  now  impossible  to  say  when  the  line  of  stag-es  was 
first  put  on  the  road  communicating  between  the  North  and 
South  by  the  way  of  Charlotte.  It  was  in  the  first  years  of 
the  Nineteenth  century,  or  it  may  be  at  an  earlier  period,  but 
as  far  back  as  1830,  the  stage  coach  was  looked  for  with  a 
great  deal  of  solicitude,  particularly  for  the  mail.  It  car- 
ried but  few  passengers,  as  the  ordinary  charge  was  ten  cents 
a  mile,  and  it  would  be  much  cheaper  to  go  on  horsel)ack. 
Letter  postage  was  25  cents,  and  Newspapers  also  cost  high; 
but  at  tliat  time  but  few  papers  were  taken,  and  letters  were 
only  written  when  under  the  greatest  stress  of  circum- 
stances. A  person  going  on  a  long  journey  to  another  State 
several  Inmdred  miles,  would  frequently  have  a  quantity  of 
letters  to  carry  for  his  friends,  and  for  those  who  were  kind 
enough  to  entertain  him  at  night  as  he  passed  along.  The 
stage  had  the  contract  for  carrying  the  mails,  and  gave  the 
best  attention,  or  served  the  government  first;  that  is.  would 
deliver  the  mail  first,  and  then  the  passengers.  Seventy  years 
ago  the  stage  delivered  the  mail  here  every  other  day,  and 
that  was  the  only  mail  expected.  A  weekly  mail  was  car- 
ried horse-back  to  Statesville,  which  was  considered  quite 
an  honor  to  be  waited  on  so  frequently. 

In  the  olden  time  when  the  stage  coach  was  the  most  ex- 
peditious mode  of  traveling,  and  the  most  rapid  way  to 
transmit  the  mail,  as  a  precursor  to  let  the  people  know  of 
the  approach  of  the  United  States  mail,  a  long,  tin  horn,  prob- 
ably five  feet  long,  was  carried  by  the  driver  (and  the  driver 
was  always  a  fearless  white  man)  who  practiced  blowing  it 
until  he  was  an  expert  in  winding  his  blast  until  the  sound 
was  eagerly  listened  for  by  those  who  anticipated  its  coming. 
When  the  roads  were  good,  a  very  good  speed  was  attained. 
They  usually  kept  a  relay  of  horses  every  ten  of  fifteen  miles, 
and  a  man  was  employed  to  care  for  the  horses  and  have 


298  HISTORY    OF 


SO  expert  with  the  whip  they  could  pick  a  buck  fly  from  the 
ears  of  the  front  team,  and  not  touch  the  horse.  In  the 
western  part  of  the  State,  and  still  farther  west,  it  became 
necessary  to  arm  the  driver  to  protect  his  passengers  and 
any  valuables  he  might  be  transporting.  An  efficient  mode 
of  arming  the  driver  was  to  furnish  him  with  a  double- 
barrel  shot  gun,  cut  off  short  so  it  could  be  carried  in  the 
pants  leg.  with  a  hole  cut  in  the  bottom  of  his  boot,  so  when 
ordered  by  the  bandit  to  "throw  up  his  hands,"  he  could 
throw  up  his  foot  and  down  the  robber  when  not  expecting 
it.  In  the  olden  times  the  occupation  of  the  stage  driver 
was  anything  else  than  a  sinecure. 


Lee  Durvlap  Kills  James  Gleatson. 

In  October.  1868,  an  election  was  held  in  Charlotte,  when 
a  political  dispute  arose  between  Lee  Duiilap,  colored,  and 
Charley  Elms.  Very  uj^ly  words  were  used,  and  Elms 
threatened  to  shoot  Dunlap,  whereupon  Dunlap  cursed  him 
and  pulled  his  shirt  front  open  and  dared  him  to  shoot. 
Elms  turned  ofif  from  the  negro  and  Mr.  James  Gleason 
remonstrated  with  him,  when  the  negro  shot  and  killed  him. 
He  was  at  once  put  in  jail.  There  was  still  a  large  force  of 
Federal  soldiers  camped  around  town  that  was  a  threat  that 
had  a  strong  tendency  to  keep  the  negroes  in  a  state  of  in- 
subordination, and  made  them  exceedingly  impudent.  After 
keeping  Dunlap  in  jail  for  a  month  or  two,  the  Federal  com- 
mander sent  him  to  Raleigh  to  be  tried  by  the  Federal  Dis- 
trict Court — so  said.  The  noted  Tim  Lee  was  sheriff  of 
Wake,  and  he  kept  Dunlap  for  several  months  as  his  wait- 
ing boy,  and  in  the  course  of  six  months  he  went  to  Ohio 
without  a  trial,  and  has  never  returned. 

S.  A,  Harris  was  Mayor  of  the  town  at  the  surrender, 
and  was  removed  by  Gov.  Holden.  Dr.  H.  M.  Pritchard  ap- 
pointed, then  Mr.  Bizel,  then  F.  M.  Ahrens.  These  a[)pear 
to  have  held  the  office  but  a  short  while. 

In  January,  1866,  S.  A.  Harris  was  elected  and  held  the 
ofifice  till  Maj.  C.  Dowd  was  electe;d  in  January,  1869. 
During  Dowd's  term  of  office  the  Board  of  Aldermen  dis- 
continued burying  in  the  old  cemetery.  The  new  one  was 
marked  off,  lots  were  sold,  and  some  persons  moved  their 
dead  to  the  new  cemetery. 

The  manufactories  of  Mie  city  were :  Rock  Island  Woolen 
Mills,  John  Wilkes'  Foundry  and  Machine  Shop,  Tatum, 
Sykes  &  Company's  steam  work  shop.  J.  Trotter's  carriage 
shop,  Barnhardt  &  Company's  steam  work  shop,  Tiddy  & 
McCoy's  marble  cutting  works,  F.  A.  McXinch's  marble  cut- 
ting works,  Charles  Wilson's  carriage  shop,  A.  H.  Creswell's 


300  HISTORY    OF 

carriag-e  shop,  and  Robert  Shaw  &  Son's  saddle  and  harness 
shojt.  Groot,  Kuck  &  Co.  were  at  this  time  operating  a  dis- 
tillery in  Charlotte. 

The  list  of  lawyers  then  was  an  able  one,  not  so  numer- 
ous as  we  have  now,  but  the  names  of  some  will  last  through 
all  time:  Burwell  &  Grier,  F.  S.  De Wolfe,  S.  W.  Davis.  W. 
F.  Davidson,  Hutchison  &  Brown,  R.  D.  Osborne,  Jones  & 
Johnston,  S.  P.  Smith.  W.  M.  Shipp,  Vance  &  Dowd.  J.  H. 
Wilson  and  R.  P.  Waring.  Almost  the  entire  list  was  com- 
posed of  men  who  followed  the  Confederate  flag,  and  now 
des'red  to  assist  in  building  up  the  wreck  of  our  beloved 
State.  There  were  17T  irierchants  and  tradesmen  of  all 
kinds  then  doing  business  in  the  town.  At  this  time  there 
were  sixteen  gold  mines  in  operation  in  Mecklenlnn-g  county. 
This  was  only  four  years  after  the  most  destructive  war  that 
was  ever  waged  against  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  when  every- 
thing of  value  had  been  destroyed,  and  a  conquering  army 
flushed  witli  victory  were  watching  our  every  move  to  heap 
indignities  upon  us  and  make  us  feel  the  bitterness  of  de- 
feat. 

But  time  heals  wounds  tliat  were  grievous  and  hard  to 
be  borne,  and  rankled  in  great  bitterness.  Our  country  was 
left  poor  indeed ;  not  a  dollar  was  left  even  lor  those  who 
had  been  in  the  most  affluent  circumstances.  But  our  South- 
ern people  went  to  work  with  a  will  that  reminds  us  of  the 
days  when  we  snatched  victory  from  seeming  defeat.  For 
se\'en  years  after  the,  surrender  not  a  public  school  was 
taught   in   North  Carolina. 

The  educational  facilities  of  the  city  were  limited  to  the 
Charlotte  Female  Institute,  Mecklenburg  Female  College, 
Male  Academy  by  Rev.  R.  H.  Griffith,  St.  Peter's  School, 
Rev.  B.  S.  Bronson,  and  Biddle  Institute  for  the  colored 
race.  This  last  was  endowed  by  money  from  tlie  North, 
and  since  then  money  has  been  spent  lavishly,  and  most  ele- 
gant buildings  and  equipments  have  been  furnished,  so  that 
no  institution  for  the  education  of  the  colored  race  can  be 
found  in  all  the  Southern  States  that  can  surpass  Biddle 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  3OI 

in  appointments  for  the  purpose  intended,  viz. :  a  university 
for  the  education  of  the  youns;-  men  of  the  negro  race. 

There  was  but  one  national  bank  in  the  town  at  that  time, 
the  First  National,  of  which  R.  Y.  ]\IcAden  was  president 
and  AI.  P.  Pegram  casliier.  A.  G.  Brenizer  was  cashier  of 
the  City  Bank  of  Charlotte,  and  C.  N.  G.  Butt  teller.  Thos. 
W.  Dewey  was  president  of  the  Bank  of  Mecklenburg,  R 
H.  Dewey  cashier.  These  banks  furnished  all  the  money 
needed  to  do  the  business  of  the  town. 

For  the  times  and  circumstances  of  the  country,  the  tow^n 
was  pretty  well  off  in  railroad  facilities.  The  North  Caro- 
lina Central.  Columbia  and  South  Carolina,  the  Lincoln  or 
Western  Division  of  the  Carolina  Central,  and  the  States- 
ville  Railroad.  These  seemed  to  give  us  plenty  of  outlet  for 
the  amount  of  trade.  They  afterward  grew  as  greater 
facilities  were  called  for.  The  first  railroad  to  enter  the 
town  was  the  Charlotte  &  Columbia  Railroad,  in  1852. 
Then  the  North  Carolina  Central  Railroad  from  Golds- 
boro  to  Charlotte  in  1856.  Then  the  Carolina  Central 
from  Wilmington,  by  Charlotte  to  Lincolnton  and  up 
into  the  mountains  after  the  war.  The  Atlantic,  Tennes- 
see &  Ohio  Railroad,  commonly  called  the  Statesville 
Railroad,  was  built  in  1860-61.  In  1864  it  was  taken  up 
to  finish  cut  the  road  from  Greensboro  to  Danville. 
It  was  vital  to  the  welfare  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia that  we  should  have  two  great  lines  by  which  we  could 
feed  and  supply  the  great  army  that  upheld  the  Southern 
Confederacy.  This  road  was  afterwards  rebuilt,  in  about 
1874.  In  about  the  same  period  the  county  voted  $200,000 
to  build  the  road  to  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  also  $100,000  to  recon- 
struct and  equip  the  Statesville  road.  These  roads  have 
done  much  for  the  county  and  town. 


Mint  Erected  to  Accommodate  Those  Engaged 
in  Mining. 

In  t830-'35  considerable  attention  was  paid  to  mining, 
especial!}'  to  gold  mining.  All  through  this  section  of  the 
State  and  adjoining  States  there  was  a  feverish  desire  to 
find  a  rich  gold  mine.  It  was  no't  uncommon  to  find  chunks 
of  gold;  som^e  persons  keeping  the  beautiful  lumps  to  prop 
the  door  of  the  house  open,  and  carelessly  handled,  not 
knowing  what  it  was  worth. 

It  was  now  thought  advisable  tO'  have  a  mint  here  at  home, 
and  not  have  to  travef  long  distances  to  have  the  precious 
metals  coined,  as  the  only  way  to  get  to  Philadelphia  was 
horseback,  by  wagon  or  stage.  Fifty  miles  a  day  was  con- 
sidered good  traveling,  and  not  more  than  half  the  year 
could  this  speed  be  attained.  In  1836  the  United  States 
I^rint  was  built.  Mr.  John  H.  Caldwell  made  the  brick  and 
delivered  them,  when  the  internal  appliances  were  furnished 
by  the  Government,  and  work  was  commenced  and  carried 
on  regularly  up  to  the  time  of 'the  Civil  War.  Since  then  it 
has  only  been  used  as  an  assay  office. 

During  the  first  term  of  Mr.  Cleveland's  administration 
the  remainder  of  the  lot  was  used  for  governmental  building 
— a  Federal  court  room  and  postofTice.  The  balance  of  the 
lot  has  been  beautified  by  being  used  as  a  city  park,  a  place 
of  recreation,  musical  entertainments  and  amusements  for 
children. 


T5he  Town  Pump. 

One  of  tlie  oldest  works  of  the  town,  and  that  impressed 
itself  upon  the  memory  of  all  who  saw  it,  or  I  should  say 
them,  was  the  public  pump  that  stood  on  Tryon  street,  oppo- 
site the  Charlotte  Holel,  and  opposite  the  Nczvs  office.  They 
furnished  water  for  every  one  in  need  in  the  town,  and  for 
all  teams  passing-  through  the  town.  When  they  were  dug, 
or  who  walled  them,  or  who  made  the  pumps  and  put  them 
in,  we  can  only  guess  it  was  a  large-hearted  individual, 
moved  by  the  authority  of  the  town.  No  doubt  the  town 
was  governed  as  wisely  then  as  now,  but  probably  the  con- 
veniences were  not  so  numerous.  In  the  days  of  the  pumps 
the  streets  were  not  macadamized,  or  the  sidewalks  curbed 
and  paved,  or  not  even  planked;  but  in  dry  weather  the 
streets  were  firm,  and  in  wet  weather  mud  was  plentiful 
everywhere.  Every  one  had  a  door  mat  of  shucks  to  wipe 
the  shoes  on  after  they  had  been  to  the  iron  scraper,  which 
was  fastened  to  the  end  of  the  lower  step.  These  pumps 
were  removed  and  the  wells  filled  up  when  the  court  house 
was  torn  away  from  Independence  Square.  But  another 
pump  stood  in  front  of  the  court  house  on  West  Trade 
street,  at  the  edge  of  the  pavement,  not  in  the  middle  of  the 
street  as  the  first  ones  did.  No  doubt  they  served  a  good 
purpose  for  a  long  time,  but  they  proved  an  eye  sore  till  they 
were  removed.  The  town  is  so  located  as  to  be  midway  be- 
tween two  creeks  that  run  parallel  for  several  miles  before 
forming  a  junction,  and  Sugar  Creek  furnishes  an  abundant 
supply  of  water,  but  when  the  city  doubles  its  present  size, 
a  large  supply  will  have  to  be  obtained,  which  can  easily  be 
obtained  from  the  Catawba  river.  A  fall  of  sufficient 
aniount  can  be  obtained  from  Mountain  Island,  about  seven- 
teen miles  west  cf  the  town. 


Public  Works  in  ChaLrlotte  Fifty  Years  Ago. 

At  this  period  no  improvements  of  streets  were  indulged 
in  further  than  working  the  big  roads  to  keep  them  passable 
for  wagons  and  horseback  riding.  But  few  houses  stood  on 
North  Tryon  beyond  the  county  jail,  corner  of  Tryon  and 
Sixth  street.  At  this  time  the  jail  was  regarded  as  a  fine 
structure,  probably  the  finest  house  in  the  town,  and  served 
as  the  county  prison  till  the  days  of  reconstruction  were  over, 
when  a  new  one  was  built  on  a  much  larger  scale,  and  in  a 
more  retired  part  of  the  town.  South  Tryon  street  did  not 
extend  below  where  the  Catholic  church  now  stands,  and  but 
few  houses  filled  the  vacancies  up  to  Boyd's  Hotel,  which 
stood  on  the  south  corner  of  fourth  and  Tryon.  The  female 
academy  stood  on  the  square  where  J.  H.  Carson  now  re- 
sides. It  was  burned  down  about  this  time,  and  this  square 
was  used  for  a  great  barbecue  at  the  celebration  which  was 
held  in  1852  at  the  completion  of  the  Charlotte  and  Colum- 
bia Railroad.  The  completion  of  this  road  made  quite  an 
epoch  in  the  history  of  Charlotte  and  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. 

About  three  years  before  this  a  barbecue  was  held  in  the 
large  grove  owned  by  Dr.  D.  R.  Dunlap,  now  owned  by  C. 
Lee  Hunter,  Esq.  A  large  concourse  of  people  were  in  at- 
tendance, and  Hon.  Joseph  H.  Wilson  and  Hon.  J.  W.  Os- 
borne were  the  principal  speakers.  Strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear, yet  it  is  nevertheless  true,  the  Whigs  believed  in  in- 
ternal improvements,  and  the  Democrats  opposed  anything 
of  the  kind.  Whigs  and  Democrats  had  no  confidence  in 
each  other,  and  party  spirit  ran  so  high  that  the  sons  of  one 
party  Avould  not  marry  a  daughter  of  the  other.  Dr.  Dun- 
lap  and  Peter  Brown,  between  C  and  D  streets,  were  sup- 
posed to  live  out  in  the  country.  T.  J.  Holton's  printing 
office  (where  the  Charlotte  Whig  was  published)  was  on 
the  east  corner  of  College  and  Trade,  and  but  few  buildings 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  305 

Up  to  the  square.  Leroy  Springs  built  up  his  corner  where 
Jordan's  drug  store  now  is  in  1830,  which  was  the  most 
handsome  store  in  town.  He  had  a  large  cellar  door  to  his 
basement,  which  was  left  open,  and  which  proved  a  danger- 
ous trap  for  anything  that  did  not  have  its  eyes  the  way  it 
was  moving. 

Capt.  Samuel  Lowrie  was  drilling  a  cavalry  company  in 
the  streets  on  a  general  muster  day,  when  his  horse  became 
unmanageable  and  backed  down  into  the  cellar  with  his 
rider.  The  crowd  became  silent  and  awe  struck,  fesling  sure 
that  both  the  captain  and  his  fiery  steed  were  killed,  but  the 
suspense  lasted  but  a  moment,  when  Capt.  Lowrie  rode  out 
with  spurs  to  his  horse,  when  the  crowd  gave  a  deafening 
yell  of  approbation  of  the  fine  horsemanship  displayed,  which 
Capt.  Lowrie  received  him  with  his  hat  in  his  hand,  and  re- 
turned a  most  graceful  bow. 

In  i860  Charlotte  town  was  about  3.000.  A  directory 
was  issued  that  year,  and  is  presumed  to  be  correct.  It  was 
then  said  that  Charlotte  was  a  growing  city,  that  it  was 
located  about  the  centre  of  the  great  mineral  wealth  of  the 
State.  The  United  States  government  established  a  branch 
mint  here  in  1837  for  the  accommodation  of  the  mining  in- 
terests of  the  State,  and  other  States  where  it  was  more  con- 
venient than  Philadelphia.  This  has  proved  a  benefit,  inci- 
dentally, to  the  town. 

It  is  said  in  a  directory  gotten  out  in  1869,  that  in  the 
State  there  was  200  mines  and  forty  cotton  factories,  em- 
f  loying  $3,000,000.  That  is  not  a  bad  record  for  that  day^ 
but  it  looks  small  when  compared  with  the  cotton  manufac- 
turing industry  at  the  present  time  in  Charlotte  alone,  when 
with  the  new  mills,  there  will  be  150,000  spindles,  2,000 
looms,  5,000  operatives,  a  yearly  pay  roll  in  wages  of, 
$1,000,000  and  a  valuation  of  $7,000,000  on  the  manufac- 
tured products. 

At  this  time  the  city  contained  a  population  of  6.000  peo- 
ple, and  an  abundant  supply  of  newspapers,  three  daily 
papers,  viz. :  the  Charlotte  Observer,  the  Carolina  Times, 


306  HISTORY    OF 

edited  by  Hon.  R.  P.  Waring;  the  Courier-Bulletin,  by  E.  H. 
Britton,  editor.  Gen.  D,  H.  Hill  was  then  publishing  The 
Laud  We  Love,  and  Mr.  W.  J.  Yates  was  editor  of  the 
Western  Democrat. 

It  is  sad  to  know  that  every  practicing  physician  who  was 
living  in  Charlotte  at  that  time  is  dead.  The  wheels  of  time 
never  stop  for  the  convenience  of  man,  nor  for  the  tides  in 
the  revolutions  of  a  nation.  J.  M.  Miller,  C.  J.  Fox,  Robert 
Gibbon,  W.  W.  and  R.  K.  Gregory,  J.  P.  McCombs,  J.  B. 
Jones,  S.  R.  Bratton,  P.  P.  Medlin,  L.  G.  Jones,  J.  C.  Neel 
are  a  complete  list  of  those  who  were  actively  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  1869.  None  of  them  reached  a  very 
great  age. 

Maj.  C.  Dowd  was  comparatively  a  stranger,  recently  had 
come  to  Charlotte,  but  the  people  prevailed  on  him  to  accept 
the  mayoralty  of  the  town.  It  was  a  difficult  place  to  fill, 
while  Yankee  soldiers  often  made  the  laws  and  superin- 
tended their  execution.  It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  present  the 
truth  of  history  so  that  the  people  of  this  generation  will  be- 
lieve wliat  the  good  men  and  women  had  to  endure.  But 
in  1869  we  got  a  Board  of  Aldermen  that  will  reflect  credit 
upon  the  good  people  of  the  town.  The  list  is  as  follows: 
J.  A.  Young,  Jonas  Rudisill,  J.  A.  Earnshaw,  A.  W.  Gray, 
R.  McDonald,  H.  G.  Springs,  S.  W.  Davis,  John  Treloar, 
A.  H.  Creswell,  William  Maxwell,  James  Harty  and  J.  Y. 
Bryce.  At  this  time  we  began  to  fill  the  town  offices  with 
high-toned  men  who  would  act  honestly  and  deal  out  justice 
between  man  and  man.  Capt.  A.  Burwell  was  town  clerk 
and  treasurer;  J.  J.  Sims  constable,  and  Charles  Elms  cotton 
weigher  and  inspector.  And  the  police  consisted  of  the  fol- 
lowing good  men:  L.  A.  Blackwelder,  chief;  Thomas  Har- 
"key,  Joe  Orr,  G.  W.  McManus,  W.  B.  Taylor,  Robt.  Howie, 
M.  Plarkey,  Mike  Healey,  S.  M.  Jamison.  These  will  be  re- 
membered as  good  and  efficient  officers.  And  as  the  most 
of  the  county  officials  resided  in  the  town,  we  give  the  names 
of  those  who  held  the  reins  of  government  in  the  last  days  of 
reconstruction :    Col.  E.  A.  Osborne,  clerk  of  the  Superior 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  3O7 

Court;  W.  P.  Little,  coroner;  Capt.  R.  M.  Gates,  chairman, 
S.  W.  Reid,  R.  R.  King,  R.  L.  Detmond  and  Thomas  L. 
Vail,  County  Commissioners;  F.  M.  Ross,  Register  of 
Deeds;  R.  M.  White,  Sheriff;  W.  P.  Bynum,  Solicitor  Ninth 
Judicial  District;  S.  E.  Belk,  Treasurer. 

The  people  now  began  to  breathe  easier,  but  still  they  had 
to  be  very  careful  how  they  expressed  themselves  and  how 
they  acted.  The  "Red  Strings"  took  notice  of  every  word 
that  an  ex-Confederate  uttered,  and  all  over  the  South  com- 
menced burning  barns  and  gin-houses,  that  gave  rise  to  the 
"Ku  Klux  Klan,"  which  was  all  that  saved  the  South  from 
a  worse  fate  than  befell  San  Domingo.  In  the  language  of 
the  Alabama  poet — 

"  As  it  is  I  can't  tell  you,  in  numbers  sublime, 
The  thing's  that  I  know  of  in  prose  or  in  rhyme  ; 
But  I'll  swear  that  we  had  just  a  hell  of  a  time, 
Enduring-  the  days  of  reconstruction." 


Cha.nges  in  Mecklenburg  in  the  La^st  Century. 

One  hnndred  years  ago  oiir  grand-fathers  were  the  active 
men  in  all  branches  of  progress.  The  wealthy  people  all 
lived  in  the  country.  They  never  thought  of  riding  in  a  car- 
riage or  gig.  Buggies  were  not  then  made,  but  every  man 
kept  a  first-class  horse.  A  horse  that  had  a  good  walk,  trot 
or  gallop  was  always  in  demand.  The  fancy  gaits  that  we 
now  see  had  not  been  developed — like  "single-footing,"  was 
not  common  until  recent  years.  The  best  of  houses  were  on 
the  plantation.  Until  the  last  fifty  years  it  was  difficult  to 
get  suitable  lum.ber.  The  first  steam  saw  mill  in  the  county 
was  after  1850.  Then  the  county  commenced  improving  her 
dwellings — building  frame  instead  of  brick.  In  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county,  where  building  rock  could  be  easily  ob- 
tained, rock  houses  were  built  before  the  Revolutionarv^ 
war.  The  century  was  well  advanced  before  many  fine 
houses  were  built  in  Charlotte.  The  great  bulk  of  the  im- 
provements that  have  been  made  in  the  city,  has  principally 
been  done  since  1880.  Since  then  many  new  streets  have 
been  opened  and  macadamized.  The  old  military  academy 
has  been  turned  into  a  graded  school;  a  new  building  on 
Ninth  street  was  put  up  for  the  same  purpose,  both  schools 
barely  furnishing  sufficient  room  for  all  who  will  accept  free 
tuition.  There  are  two  first-class  private  schools  for  boys 
in  the  First  and  Fourth  wards. 

A  system  of  street  cars  was  started  by  horses,  but  it  was 
soon  found  inadequate  for  the  city,  and  electric  cars  soon 
took  their  place  and  yield  a  handsome  revenue,  running  in 
all  parts  of  the  city,  with  a  bright  prospect  in  the  near  future 
of  the  track  being  extended  to  the  Catawba  river.  But  a  few 
years  ago  our  people  were  moved  with  wonder  and  amaze- 
ment at  every  new  discovery  that  was  brought  to  their  at- 
tention. Now  in  this  second  year  of  the  Twentieth  century 
they  think  as  a  matter  of  course  something  will  be  gotten 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  309 

ready  to  meet  any  emergency  that  may  arise.  We  have  as 
yet  nothing-  that  is  perfected  to  take  the  place  of  the  hand 
hoe  to  thin  the  cotton  to  a  stand,  to  dress  it  up  for  rapid 
growth.  Nor  have  we  yet  succeeded  with  a  machine  to 
gather  the  cotton  when  it  matures.  But  the  inventive  genius 
of  our  people  is  ever  on  the  lookout  for  anything  to  save 
labor,  or  cheapen  the  cost  of  production.  The  railroads  of 
the  country,  and  the  public  roads  of  the  county  call  for  hands 
and  machinery;  so  do  the  great  plants  of  the  various  foun- 
dries, and  other  large  works  employing  hundreds  of  labor- 
ers. So  that  a  constant  stream  from  other  sections  is  nec- 
essary, in  order  to  supply  the  demand  for  labor.  The  num- 
ber of  cotton  mills  now  running  in  the  county  makes  farm 
labor  very  scarce.  Twenty-five  years  ago  a  great  improve- 
ment began  on  county  homes,  but  now  we  see  this  is  stopped 
and  the  land  owners  are  moving  to  the  city  and  railroad  sta- 
licns;  if  not  to  work  in  shops  or  factories,  to  get  where  they 
will  get  the  advantage  of  better  schools.    This  is  a  fast  age. 

Sixty  years  ago,  or  in  the  early  part  of  the  century  we  did 
not  look  for  a  radical  change,  and  it  did  not  come.  TJut  when 
the  times  were  ripe  for  railroadsto  be  built,  we  heard  the  iron 
horse  in  every  direction.  Steam  has  wrought  a  great  revolu- 
tion in  the  last  fifty  years  in  Mecklenburg  county.  It  is  now 
used  in  the  place  of  human  labor.  In  all  places  that  formerly 
required  muscle,  now  we  see  machinery,  as  if  thinking  how 
to  do  the  bidding  of  its  master. 

One  of  the  great  cha,nges  we  see  in  Charlotte  is  "the  get 
up  and  push"  of  all  the  trades  people.  The  mighty  push  to 
pick  up  the  floating  dollar  seems  to  be  the  chief  aim  of  life.  A 
generation  or  two  ago,  the  women  took  a  delight  in  showing 
each  other  their  fine  handiwork.  They  knit  most  beautiful 
hoods  and  shawls ;  stockings  that  would  now  be  the  envy  of 
these  who  only  dress  in  store  clothes.  All  the  clothing  was 
nij.de  at  home,  except  wedding  outfits,  or  for  extra  occa- 
sions. All  the  foot  wear  was  home  made ;  the  material  was 
caraed,  spun,  and  knit;  the  clothes  for  the  entire  family, 
white  and  black,  was  all  done  or  supervised  at  home.     Fifty 


3IO  HISTORY    OF 

years  ago  the  women  always  took  their  work  with  them 
when  they  went  visiting-.  They  would  either  spend  the  day 
or  go  immediately  after  dinner.  Until  the  last  twenty-five 
years  everybody  ate  dinner  at  12  o'clock.  Persons  who  were 
able  10  afford  it,  always  carried  a  nurse  along  to  care  for  the 
baby.  If  they  wished  to  go  several  miles,  and  the  roads 
were  bad,  they  generally  put  in  two  or  three  days.  In  a  visit 
of  thflt  length,  all  the  neighborhood  news  was  pretty  well 
ventilated.  In  our  churches  at  this  time,  it  was  customary 
to  hold  communion  twice  a  year,  when  it  was  thought  best 
to  have  one  or  more  preachers  to  assist  in  the  service.  The 
meeting  would  begin  on  Thursday  and  continue  till  Mon- 
day evening.  It  always  was  a  solemn  time.  Tokens  were 
given  to  each  communicant  on  Friday  or  Saturday  to  prevent 
any  one  from  sitting  down  to  the  Lord's  table  who  were  un- 
worthy ;  and  the  tokens  were  collected  on  Sunday  while  the 
srcrcment  was  being  administered.  The  long  tables  that 
cxrended  across  the  church  with  low  benches  to  sit  on,  have 
all  pati^ed  away,  and  the  present  plan  has  been  adopted. 


Heatlthfvilness  of  Mecklenburg. 

We  have  no  data  to  go  by  for  the  first  hundred  years  of 
Mecklenburg's  history ;  but  from  the  sparseness  of  popula- 
tion of  the  first  century,  we  can  safely  say  it  was  a  rare  thing 
for  an  epidemic  to  appear  in  her  confines.  Ordinary  chills 
and  fevers,  pneumonia,  pleurisy,  typhoid  fever,  rheumatism 
with  the  contagious  diseases  peculiar  to  childhood,  have  been 
common  to  all  parts  of  our  country.  But  severe  epidemics 
have  left  marks  of  their  ravages  only  in  the  last  sixty  years. 

In  1845  ^"  epidemic  of  erysipelas  raged  with  great  vio- 
lence through  the  county.  One-fourth  of  those  attacked 
died.  It  commenced  with  a  chill,  lasting  from  two  to  four 
or  six  hours,  followed  with  high  febrile  excitement,  with 
diptheritic  exhudation  in  the  throat  and  fauces.  The  head 
was  frequently  swollen  to  the  size  of  a  half  bushel  measure, 
the  act  of  swallowing  much  hindered,  if  not  rendered  impos- 
sible, and  the  eyes  entirely  closed,  and  the  entire  body  emit- 
ting an  odor  very  similar  to  gangrene  or  mortification. 
Whether  it  was  an  epidemic,  or  when  started  it  became  con- 
tagious, it  is  now  uncertain.  The  first  case  in  the  county 
was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Fizell,  a  Kentucky  hog  drover.  He 
stopped  over  night  with  a  steam  doctor  by  the  names  of  Jas. 
Clark.  In  the  night  he  had  a  violent  chill,  followed  by  a 
high  fever,  for  which  Dr,  Clark  bled  him.  In  a  few  hours 
he  sent  for  Dr.  M.  W.  Alexander,  who  found  a  violent  attack 
of  erysipelas,  which  began  where  the  lancet  opened  the  vein 
of  the  arm  and  spread  rapidly.  Dr.  Alexander  said,  "He 
should  not  have  been  bled,  as  it  would  hasten  the  disease  to  a 
fatal  termination."  Mr.  Fizell  replied,  "Don't  blame  him. 
Doctor,  for  the  poor  damned  fool  had  no  better  sense,"  The 
case  ended  fatally,  and  Dr.  Alexander  was  the  next  victim. 
The  doctor  was  very  popular,  and  an  immense  crowd  at- 
tended his  funeral  and  the  disease  spread  with  wonderful 
rapidity.    Vast  numbers  died  in  the  upper  part  of  the  county. 


312  HISTORY   OF 

Some  sections  the  burials  ranged  from  one  to  six  per  day, 
and  this  in  a  sparsely  settled  country  was  putting  the  death 
rate  very  heavy.  It  was  difficult  in  some  families  to  have  the 
sick  cared  for,  and  often  but  few  to  attend  a  funeral.  A 
panic  was  among  the  people,  and  the  sick  were  much  neg- 
lected, and  there  was  considerable  suffering;  but  after  two 
or  three  months  tlie  plague  was  stayed.  In  this  epidemic  the 
whites  were  the  principal  sufferers,  although  the  blacks  had 
the  disease,  not  one-fourth  the  number  of  them  were  affected 
by  it,  yet  it  proved  fatal  to  a  considerable  extent. 

In  the  years  1853,  1854,  1855  and  1856,  we  had  an  epi- 
demic of  dysentery  that  was  very  fatal.     It  was  said  that 

Dr. lost  one  thousand  cases  in  the  county  during 

the  scourge,  which  lasted  four  seasons.  It  was  emphatically 
a  summer  disease:  no  special  cause  was  assigned,  but  hot 
weather  and  eating  fruits.  Fifty  years  ago  but  little  atten- 
tion was  paid  to  the  cause  of  disease,  but  the  symptoms  were 
combatted  as  they  should  arise.  Microbes  did  not  then  exist, 
or  at  least  had  not  been  discovered.  The  deadly  miasma 
that  arose  from  the  swamps  and  low  grounds  was  viriient 
enough  of  itself  to  produce  chills  and  fever,  without  the  aid 
of  mosquitoes. 

Whether  this  malaria  generated  in  our  creek  bottoms  and 
swamps  could  have  given  rise  to  dysentery,  as  the  peo])le  be- 
lieved it  made  chills  and  fevers,  is  still  a  disputed  question, 
but  it  is  a  fact  admitted  by  all,  that  it  was  a  very  fatal  disease. 
Typhoid  fever  was  more  common  in  former  years  than  of 
late.  In  ante  bellum  days,  the  negro  was  specially  liable  to 
the  disease,  but  for  the  last  third  of  the  Nineteenth  century, 
he  is  almost  exempt  from  it,  and  has  taken  on  consumption, 
which  is  more  fatal  in  its  consequences. 


Snow  on  the  15th  of  April,  1849. 

Everything  in  the  way  of  vegetables  was  well  advanced  in 
the  spring  of  1849.  The  farmers  were  ready  to  give  corn  its 
first  plowing  when  the  snow  came.  It  fell  very  gently,  no 
crust  on  top.  It  was  so  piled  up  in  the  apple  blossoms  that 
they  looked  like  snow  balls.  All  vegetation  was  killed,  no 
fruit  that  was  in  bloom  escaped  being  killed.  The  great  crop 
of  Mecklenburg  "blackberries"  alone  escaped  of  all  our 
fruits.  The  tender  shoots  on  the  forest  trees,  with  all  the 
herbs  and  grasses  were  nipped  "with  one  fell  swoop"  of  the 
devouring  king.  It  was  not  till  mid-summer  that  the  trees 
made  a  respectable  shade,  or  the  cattle  could  make  a  tolera- 
ble living  in  the  range  at  large.  The  snow  was  about  five 
inches  deep,  and  got  in  his  accustomed  work  the  middle  of 
April  with  as  much  efficiency  as  in  earlier  months.  On  May 
1 8  and  20,  1875,  the  frost  was  so  heavy  that  the  wheat  all 
fell  down,  corn  and  cotton  was  badly  killed,  and  vegetation 
in  general  was  badly  set  back.  Our  seasons  have  changed 
very  much  in  the  last  fifty  years,  our  springs  have  become 
later.  We  formerly  planted  cotton  the  first  of  April,  now  it 
is  frequently  the  tenth  of  May  before  cotton  is  planted.  The 
falls  are  noticed  to  linger  in  the  lap  of  sunmier,  and  the 
vegetation  remains  green  until  the  middle  of  October. 


Aurora.  BoreaLlis  as  Seen  in  October,  1865. 

A  most  wonderful  electrical  display,  which  disturbed  the 
serenity  of  many  of  the  people  of  Mecklenburg,  who  wit- 
nessed the  gorg-eous  display  in  the  after  part  of  the  night. 
Mr.  E.  A.  McAuley  was  asked  by  two  deserters  from  the 
Confederate  States  Army  the  next  morning  after  the  occur- 
rence, if  he  could  explain  the  phenomena.  He  said,  "Yes,  it 
was  the  devil  uncapping  hell  to  take  in  all  deserters  of  the 
Confederate  Cause." 


"Starrs  Fell"  in  the  Fall  o/  1833. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  events  that  ever  occurred  in 
the  history  of  the  State,  or  of  America,  was  the  wonderful 
fall  of  meteors  in  1833.  It  was  not  in  a  single  county  or  a 
State,  but  its  appearance  was  in  all  parts  of  America.  With- 
out noise  or  trumpet  or  any  disturbance  in  the  elements,  little 
blazing  balls  of  light,  like  shooting  stars,  commenced  falling 
soon  after  dark,  and  kept  on  till  daybreak.  The  most  of  the 
meteors  would  fall  three  or  four  feet  from  the  ground  and 
the  blaze  would  then  go  out,  and  leave  no  residue.  It  was 
a  most  beautiful  sight;  not  burning  or  setting  fire  to  any- 
thing, simply  a  blazing  ball  of  gas.  Many  very  ignorant  peo- 
ple, in  their  fright,  thought  judgment  day  was  at  hand.  It 
soon  passed  from  the  imaginations  of  the  masses,  and  was 
only  remembered  as  a  great  display  of  electricity,  or  as  an 
eclipse  of  the  sun. 


"Ghe  Patssing  of  an  Aerolite  From  West  to  Ea^st. 

Probably  in  the  year  1846,  or  thereabouts,  in  the  summer 
time,  in  the  afternoon  of  a  warm,  clear  day,  a  very  large 
areolite  passed  over  Alexandriana  Academy,  making  a  roar- 
ing noise  louder  than  that  made  by  a  train  of  cars.  It  was 
going  in  an  easterly  direction,  emitting  sparks  by  the  thou- 
sands as  it  rushed  on  in  its  course,  gradually  approaching  the 
ground,  till  it  fell  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Cabarrus 
county.  The  teacher  in  the  academy  when  he  heard  the  roar- 
ing, called  to  the  pupils  "to  run  quick,  that  the  house  was  on 
fire."  Fortunately  there  was  no  damage  done  to  the  house, 
for  it  did  not  fall  in  less  than  twenty  miles,  where  it  was  after- 
wards discovered.  Its  weight  was  several  tons.  Pieces  of 
it  was  carried  off  and  placed  in  cabinets  of  minerals.  It  was 
spoken  of  for  a  long  time,  and  was  supposed  by  many  of  the 
common  people  to  be  a  piece  of  some  disrupted  planet :  that 
this  block  came  to  earth,  and  here  met  an  obstacle  that  it 
could  not  pass. 


Earthqua.ke  Shocks  in  1886. 

On  the  last  night  of  August,  in  1886,  the  people  of  Meck- 
lenburg were  shaken  up,  and  many  of  them  alarmed  at  the 
convulsions  of  nature.  Some  few  persons  who  had  a  clear 
conscience  and  a  good  digestion,  slept  on  as  peacefully  as 
an  infant.  The  first  came  about  10  o'clock,  probably  one- 
third  of  the  people  in  Mecklenburg  were  asleep,  and  many  of 
those  who  had  done  a  hard  day's  work,  did  not  awake.  But 
on  the  farms  the  negroes  were  badly  frightened;  they  called 
their  nearest  neighbors  to  come  to  their  relief;  some  prayed 
aloud  with  great  earnestness;  others  thought  some  enemy 
was  trying  to  pull  down  their  house,  and  they  were  defend- 
ing their  premises  with  rifles,  pistols,  shot  gims,  or  any- 
thing they  could  get  hold  of.  Cries  of  distress  and  fear 
could  be  heard  on  all  sides,  that  were  truly  distressing.  A 
large  family  who  lived  in  a  large  house,  some  of  the  mem- 
bers had  retired,  and  the  father  had  partaken  too  freely  of  his 
cups  to  be  reasoned  with,  when  the  family  all  got  safely  out 
of  the  house,  begged  the  father  to  get  up  and  come  out  of 
the  house,  that  judgment  day  had  come.  Immediately  the 
firm  answer  came  back,  "Go  back  to  your  beds  you  fools  you, 
don't  you  know  judgment  day  is  not  coming  in  the  night?" 
How  many  people  will  leave  home  when  great  fear  comes 
upon  them;  they  are  hunting  sympathy,  or  protection.  In 
a  negro  church  near  Huntersville,  the  house  was  crowded 
when  the  first  shock  was  felt,  but  the  preacher  partially 
quieted  the  alarm,  saying,  "If  that  is  some  mischievous  per- 
sons doing  that,  they  will  be  afraid  to  do  it  again ;  but  if  it's 
the  Lord,  look  out."  Just  at  the  instant  the  house  was 
shaken  more  violently  than  before,  when  the  negroes  poured 
out  the  doors  and  windows,  and  over  the  heads  of  those  who 
did  not  move  fast  enough — it  was  a  panic.     A  religious 


3l8  HISTORY   OF 

awakening  was  started  among  both  whites  and  blacks ;  but, 
like  all  revivals  that  spring  from  fear,  it  soon  passed  away. 

August  31,  1886,  was  the  date  of  the  great  earthquake 
of  the  century.  Its  centre  was  near  Charleston,  S.  C.  Prob- 
ably its  centre  was  in  the  Atlantic  ocean  near  Charleston. 
The  damage  to  buildings  and  railroads  was  very  great.  The 
ground  in  many  places  near  the  coast  was  sunken  several  feet 
and  in  other  places  was  raised,  making  it  appear  in  waves. 
It  cost  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  to  repair  the  dam- 
ages to  buildings  and  railroads.  In  the  up-country  but  com- 
paratively little  damage  was  done  to  buildings,  except  that 
brick  buildings  were  cracked  and  rendered  unsafe,  A  per- 
fect pandemonium  of  fear  and  alarm  ran  riot  over  the  coun- 
try. The  people  were  not  educated  in  the  behavior  of  earth- 
quakes, and  not  one  out  of  fifty  persons  knew  what  it  was. 
Of  course  fright  and  fear  filled  the  hearts  of  most  persons 
who  had  no  knowledge  of  such  phenomena.  In  every  direc- 
tion in  the  country  you  could  hear  cries  of  dirtress — one  per- 
son called  to  another  to  come  to  them.  The  lamps  setting 
about  in  the  houses  were  shaken  so  violently  that  they  were 
taken  from  the  mantle  or  table  and  put  on  the  floor. 

Many  persons  who  paid  no  attention  to  religion  were  per- 
suaded through  fear  that  they  needed  assistance  from  a 
higher  power.  Loud  prayers  and  strong  crying  was  heard  in 
many  places,  and  many  joined  the  Church. 

A  friend  of  mine  coming  home  from  Church  in  the  upper 
part  of  this  county,  said  when  he  heard  the  rumbling  noise 
that  accompanied  the  earthquake,  he  immediately  got  off  the 
track  of  the  railroad,  thinking  it  was  the  train  coming.  Oth- 
ers saw  electric  balls  of  fire  flashing  along  the  track.  I  had 
two  little  boys,  15  years  old,  sleeping  out  in  my  office,  who 
ran  into  my  dwelling  house  after  the  first  shock,  and  I  asked 
them  "what  the  dog  was  barking  at  so  furiously."  They 
said,  "Somebody's  horses  and  wagon  went  by  the  office  like 
a  whirlwind."  This  noise  was  from  southeast  to  north- 
west ;  such  appeared  to  be  the  course  of  the  cesmic  disturb- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  3I9 

a  nee.  These  shocks  were  continued  for  several  days,  at 
intervals  of  a  few  moments  to  several  hours.  This  is  a  fair 
statement  of  what  took  place  in  one  hundred  miles  of  Char- 
lotte. But  the  nearer  you  approch  to  Charleston,  or  the 
centre  of  the  disturbance,  the  greater  was  the  destruction  of 
property,  many  houses  were  rendered  unsafe,  and  some  were 
shaken  down. 


Progress. 

The  olden  times  have  passel  away,  and  their  associations 
have  in  a  great  measure  been  forgotten  with  their  plans  of 
education,  when  it  was  thought  that  boys  were  alone  worthy 
of  an  education — at  least  of  a  high  class,  that  would  fit  them 
for  the  most  exalted  positions  in  the  State.  That  filling  the 
place  of  maid — of  all  work,  was  the  highest  round  on  the 
ladder  of  fame  that  a  girl  was  capable  of  filling,  unless  she 
was  born  under  a  "lucky  star,"  The  aristocracy  of  one  hun- 
dred years  ago  was  handed  down  from  royalty,  and  cropped 
out  in  generations  after  leaving  a  government  that  was  run 
by  the  best  of  the  land.  That  was  far  superior  to  a  rule  of 
money  bags,  which  now  controls  in  this  country.  For  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  millionaires  have  bought  seats 
of  Senators  with  enormous  wealth,  and  had  no  other  claim 
to  patriotism.  But  we  are  happy  to  know  that  in  our  county 
no  ofiCice  has  ever  been  obtained  through  barter  or  fraud,  nor 
in  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

In  the  first  sixty  years  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  not  a  sin- 
gle millionaire  could  be  found  in  North  Carolina;  since  then 
a  few  men  have  crept  up  to  the  much  desired  mark,  and  as 
they  ascended  the  giddy  height,  probably  one  hundred  were 
forced  on  the  downward  scale.  The  two  extremes  of  riches 
and  poverty  meet  here  in  Mecklenburg,  but  we  have  very  few 
of  either  class  in  our  more  than  fifty  thousand  population. 
Our  county  is  now  progressing  in  a  most  satisfactory  man- 
ner; our  modes  of  agriculture  have  kept  pace  with  the  im- 
provements of  the  age;  it  is  now  not  necessary  to  sow  the 
wheat,  oats  and  rye  by  hand;  drop  corn,  peas  and  other 
things  by  hand,  but  everything  is  worked  by  machinery. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  century  almost  every  one  lived  in 
the  country,  and  continued  to  live  on  the  farm  till  1850.  The 
evolution  of  Southern  hospitality  was  not  interfered  with 
in  any  form  until  we  were  robbed  of  our  liberty  and  denied 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  32I 

the  right  of  managing  our  private  affairs  as  a  free  people 
were  accustomed  to  do  for  one  hundred  years.  The  people 
of  Mecklenburg  were  noted  for  their  hospitality,  and  would 
never  take  advantage  of  a  neighbor's  necessity.  It  was  rare 
and  uncommon  for  a  friend  or  neighbor  to  charge  another 
interest  for  the  loan  of  money  for  a  few  months,  or  a  year; 
he  would  simply  say,  "I  loaned  my  neighbor  or  friend  for 
accommodation ;  I  don't  keep  money  for  speculation."  Sim- 
ply to  be  wealthy  did  not  give  a  passport  into  select  society; 
a  clean  moral  character  would  have  to  be  accepted.  The 
public  roads  were  regarded  good  in  dry  weather,  and  ex- 
ceedingly bad  in  wet  weather.  Fifty  years  ago  to  haul  pro- 
duce to  market  was  a  job  to  be  dreaded.  To  Cheraw,  in 
South  Carolina,  was  then  our  nearest  market,  generally 
taking  about  eight  or  ten  days ;  or  a  trip  to  Charleston,  con- 
suming three  weeks,  and  to  Philadelphia,  six  to  eight  weeks. 
Roads  in  that  early  period  were  poorly  worked,  just  so  that 
they  would  "pass  muster." 

The  first  agricultural  fair  ever  held  in  Mecklenburg  was 
in  the  year  1846.  It  is  not  known  to  what  extent  it  was  ad- 
vertised, but  it  must  have  been  very  limited  from  the  num- 
ber of  persons  who  attended,  and  the  articles  on  exhibition. 
The  first  fair  was  held  in  the  back  room  and  the  back  yard 
of  H.  B.  &  L.  S.  Williams'  store,  which  was  located  at  the 
corner  of  the  Second  ward,  where  is  now  kept  the  Carolina 
Clothing  Company. 

The  middle  of  the  afternoon  of  that  momentous  Novem- 
ber day,  a  few  of  the  county's  best  farmers  congregated  in 
the  rear  of  H.  B.  &  L.  S.  Williams  emporium  to  talk  of  what 
the  foremost  county  of  the  State  could  do,  and  what  the 
county  proposed  to  do.  They  did  not  despise  the  day  of 
small  things.  The  people  were  looking  forward  when  the 
day  should  come  that  agriculture  would  eclipse  all  that  had 
been  done,  or  dreamed  it  was  possible  to  do'.  But  in  justice 
to  the  people  of  the  county  and  to  those  outside  her  borders, 
it  is  fit  and  proper  that  an  account  of  the  fair — probably  the 
first  in  the  State — certainly  the  first  in  Mecklenburg  county. 


322  HISTORY   OF 

There  were  no  marshals  appointed  for  the  occasion;  there 
may  have  been  a  president  and  secretary,  but  no  one  ap^- 
peared  to  be  in  command,  Maj.  Ben.  Morrow  did  the  most 
of  the  talking.  He  invited  the  crowd  into  the  back  room  of 
the  store  where  we  examined  seven  or  eight  of  the  largest 
turnips  that  ever  grew  in  the  county.  These  were  thoroughly 
examined,  and  pronounced  most  excellent.  There  was  noth- 
ing else  in  the  room  intended  for  exhibition,  we  were  asked 
out  in  the  yaril  to  pass  judgment  on  a  horse  colt  and  a  mule 
colt — one  year  old  the  next  spring,  their  tails  and  main  per- 
fectly matted  with  cockleburs — next  was  a  very  fine  Durham 
bull,  belonging  to  Maj.  John  Caldwell.  This  constituted  the 
first  fair.  Col.  B.  W.  Alexander  urged  its  repetition  with 
greater  effort.    It  has  grown  to  respectability  in  the  last  fifty 


Gentlemen  and  Laddies  Before  the  Civil  Wa-r. 

A  complete  revolution  in  manners  and  habits,  in  the  civili- 
zation of  the  middle  of  the  last  century — all  is  changed. 

Gentlemen  as  a  rule,  attended  to  their  own  business.  vSome 
large  farmers  who  were  not  willing,  or  for  any  cause  were 
unable,  employed  an  overseer  who  attended  to  the  affairs  of 
the  farm  by  direction  of  the  owner.  In  many  cases  the  pro- 
prietor owned  several  farms  or  plantations,  with  a  number 
of  slaves  to  each  farm,  and  in  those  cases  the  proprietor  over- 
saw the  different  overseers.  Of  course  these  are  or  were  rare 
cases.  There  were  not  more  than  a  dozen  very  rich  men  in  the 
county,  and  probably  not  more  than  that  many  who,  were 
very  poor.  In  our  county  poor  house  there  were  not  more 
than  half  a  dozen,  who  had  to  be  cared  for  by  the  hand  of 
charity.  The  great  multitude  of  our  people  lived  in  easy 
circumstances ;  they  lived  plainly,  were  industrious,  paid  for 
what  they  purchased,  raised  what  they  needed  to  eat,  and 
what  they  wore.  Almost  every  family  had  their  own  loom, 
wheel  and  cards  for  every  two  females  of  the  family,  white 
and  black.  Sewing  thread  was  also  spun,  doubled  and 
twisted  on  the  spinning  wheel  at  home.  Only  for  very  fine 
goods  was  spool  thread  bought.  Flax  thread,  of  different 
colors  was  brought  on  by  the  merchants  in  hanks  of  four  cuts 
each,  which  the  good  housewife  would  wind  into  balls,  being 
more  convenient  for  sewing.  For  home  made  thread,  there 
was  always  kept  in  reach  a  ball  or  cake  of  beeswax  to  wax 
the  thread,  and  keep  it  from  getting  in  knots,  or  "kinking." 
The  civilization  of  fifty  years  ago  and  now,  is  very  different. 

Negro  women  spent  all  their  time  when  not  employed  in 
making  or  gathering  the  crops  in  spinning  and  weaving 
cloth  to  make  their  clothes,  or  bedding,  or  clothes  for  mem- 
bers of  the  white  family.  Four  to  six  cuts  was  regarded  a 
day's  work,  either  winter  or  summer.  For  a  web  of  fine  cloth 
an  expert  weaver  was  employed ;  usually  that  would  weave 


324  HISTORY    OF 

from  four  to  six  yards  a  day,  if  they  had  an  extra  hand  to 
"fill  the  quills."  Anything  like  plain  shirting,  they  could 
weave  ten  to  twelve  yards  per  day.  They  were  not  taxed 
very  heavily  with  work  when  they  had  children  to  see  after; 
on  the  whole  their  life  was  a  happy  one,  fifty  years  ago. 

It  was  different  in  many  places  from  what  it  was  here ;  it 
was  common  in  this  country  where  a  man  owned  a  half 
dozen  or  more  negro  men,  for  him  to  have  one  a  blacksmith, 
or  a  carpenter,  a  tanner  or  a  shoemaker; it  may  be  they  would 
not  be  fine  workmen,  but  abundantly  capable  of  doing  the 
farm  repairs  that  were  constantly  being  needed.  In  other 
counties,  especially  south  of  here,  they  were  not  learned  a 
trade,  but  every  effort  was  made  to  increase  their  output  of 
cotton. 

There  was  nothing  fifty  years  ago  of  the  "codfish  aris- 
tocracy," built  on  a  money  basis;  but  if  a  man's  character 
was  good,  he  was  freely  admitted  into  the  best  society.  But 
let  him  once  get  down  by  an  ill-timed  stroke  of  policy,  or 
overreach  his  neighbor  in  a  money  transaction,  or  change  the 
mark  of  his  neighbor's  stock,  or  be  strongly  suspecied  of  an 
underhanded  trick,  he  lost  his  standing  instantly;  and  as  a 
rule  he  never  regained  his  former  standing.  It  was  do  right, 
or  move,  or  else  be  under  the  ban  forever. 

Fifty  years  ago  the  party  lines  were  so  tightly  drawn, 
that  men  in  opposing  parties — Whigs  and  Democrats — 
were  loth  to  mingle  together  freely  socially.  They  fre- 
quently spoke  oi  each  other  "as  a  very  clever  man,  but  he 
is  such  a  Democrat,  or  he  is  such  a  Whig."  In  fact  it  was 
carried  so  far  that  a  gentleman  of  good  standing  in  the  Dem- 
ocratic party  would  not  pay  his  address  to  a  young  lady 
wdiose  parents  were  as  invenerate  Whigs,  and  vice  versa.  A 
half  century  ago  the  better  classes  of  society  were  very  par- 
ticular with  whom  they  associated;  that  is  they  would  not 
allow  their  daughters  to  go  riding,  or  attend  social  parties 
or  in  any  way  to  be  thrown  together  with  people  of  a  lower 
caste.  Money,  or  wealth  did  not  give  admittance  to  the  cir- 
cles of  worth  and  merit.    This  did  not  extend  to  our  common 


MECKI.EXBURG   COUNTY.  325 

schools  or  churches,  except  where  there  was  guilt,  criminal 
guilt.  Fifty  5'ears  ago  the  leveling  principle  was  not  tolera- 
ted ;  but  where  worth  was  found,  it  was  always  recognized. 
About  1S56  the  bars  were  let  down,  or  rather  thrown  away, 
in  admitting  free  suffrage  to  the  voters  of  North  Carolina, 
permitting  every  one  to  vote  for  Senator,  the  landed  inter- 
est of  the  State  was  confided  to  the  non-property  holders 
(the  land  ho'lders  being  in  the  minority),  here  was  opened 
the  Pandora's  box  that  put  in  operation  the  leveling  pro- 
cess that  destroyed  the  old  time  aristocracy  of  the  State,  and 
admitted  all  classes,  disreputable  characters  as  well,  to  the 
highest  privileges  in  the  State.  Party  lines  and  the  party 
lash  had  a  wonderful  influence  for  goc'd  or  evil,  and  was 
only  tempered  by  falling  into  the  hands  of  good  m.en. 

Sixty  years  ago  female  education  had  made  wonderful 
progress.  Academies,  colleges  and  boarding  schools  for 
young  women  and  girls  were  taking  a  prominent  place  in 
the  vState,  and  especially  in  Mecklenburg  county.  In  1835 
an  excellent  school  was  taught  in  Charlotte  by  Mrs.  S.  Nye 
Hutchison,  with  whom  Miss  Sarah  Davidson  was  associated 
as  music  teacher.  In  the  forties  a  Presbyterian  minister  by 
the  name  of  Freeman  had  charge  of  the  school.  Then  in 
or  about  1847.  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Johnston  took  charge  of  the 
Female  Academy  and  taught  a  large  school  till  he  died  in 
1853.  ]\Ir.  A.  J.  Leavenworth,  a  minister,  taught  and 
preached  in  Charlotte  early  in  the  thirties,  for  several  years 
and  afterwards  moved  to  Petersburg,  Va.,  where  he  ran  a 
school  for  a  number  of  years.  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell  and 
wife  taught  successfully  a  fine  school  in  Sugar  Creek  neigh- 
borhood three  miles  from  Charlotte,  till  he  removed  to  Rome, 
Ga.,  in  1845.  Another  school  was  then  gotten  up  at  Chre- 
mont,  near  Sugar  Creek  church,  taught  by  Misses  Chamber- 
ley  and  Gould.  These  were  Northern  ladies  and  gave  fine 
satisfaction.  A  fine  school  for  young  ladies  was  taught  at 
the  residence  of  J.  R.  Alexander,  half  way  between  Charlotte 
and  Davidson  College,  by  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Alexander, 
who  married  Rev.  W.  W.  Pharr,  D.  D.  Now  there  may  have 


326  HISTORY    OF 

been  other  female  schools  in  the  county,  the  names  of  which  1 
do  not  now  recall.  Did  any  other  county  in  the  State  do  as 
well  towards  educating  the  girls  in  either  town  or  country? 
As  a  rule  only  those  who  belonged  to  the  wealthy  class  en- 
joyed the  advantages  of  education  in  the  early  days  of  the 
Nineteenth  century. 

Education  in  Mecklenburg  has  been  on  the  increase  all  the 
time  since  the  first  school  was  taught  in  the  county.  It  was 
slow  progress  to  build  up  the  schools  from  their  crude  start- 
ing point — the  little  log  cabin,  with  weight  poles  to  hold  the 
rough  boards  in  their  place;  dirt  floor,  wooden  chimney, 
lined  with  rock ;  split  logs  for  benches,  a  log  cut  out  of  the 
side  of  the  house  to  admit  light  to  the  writing  desk,  made  by 
boring  a  hole  and  putting  in  a  large  pin  to  lay  a  plank  on  to 
hold  the  copybook,  or  paper. 

This  completes  the  furniture  of  the  school  house  one  hun- 
dred years  ago,  except  the  master's  chair,  and  a  handful  of 
hickories.  This  is  not  an  inviting  picture,  but  it  is  a  true  one. 
No  wonder  our  State  has  led  all  her  sisters  in  ignorance  of 
books.  But  the  tide  is  now  turned;  and  if  we  can  prophesy 
from  the  buildings  now  going  up,  the  schools  now  under 
way,  the  money  being  spent,  we  will  soon  be  as  far  ahead 
of  our  neighbors  as  we  have  been  behind.  In  our  town  we 
have  two  colleges  for  girls  that  but  a  few  years  ago  might 
have  been  taken  for  palaces.  Our  graded  schools  will  accom- 
modate two  thousand  children,  with  all  the  paraphrenalia 
that  is  necessary  for  a  school  of  the  highest  order.  The 
trustees  have  had  an  eye  to  secure  the  best  teachers,  and  none 
are  retained  who  do  not  fill  the  bill  in  every  particular.  The 
school  for  the  negroes  is  equally  efficient,  and  has  the 
same  trustees  to  see  that  each  teacher  is  capable  and  does  his 
or  her  work  in  an  admirable  manner.  Other  schools  in  the 
town,  which  are  private,  are  well  patronized  and  their  boys 
enter  with  praise  whichever  college  they  elect  to  attend. 
Charlotte  is  well  off  for  schools  for  either  sex. 

One  of  the  results  of  the  great  war  between  the  States 
from  1 86 1  to  1865.  was  to  rob  the  people  of  their  property, 


MECKIvENBURG   COUNTY.  327 

bearing  heaviest  upon  the  women  of  our  country,  forcing 
them  into  channels  of  trade  to  which  they  nor  their  mothers 
were  used  in  former  times.  New  fields  of  industry  have  been 
opened  up  to  girls  and  women,  that  prior  to  1870  were  never 
thought  of.  In  all  departments  of  mercantile  life  women 
are  now  an  important  factor.  There  is  now  scarcely  a  store 
or  place  of  business  in  our  thriving  city,  but  what  a  young 
lady  presides  over  the  apartment  suited  for  female  work. 
Hundreds  of  ladies,  even  of  the  best  families,  fill  the  short 
hand  and  typewriter's  place  in  the  cotton  stores,  in  the  offices 
where  machinery  of  all  kinds  is  kept;  in  fact  they  are  every- 
where that  work  is  to  be  done  that  she  is  suited  for.  All 
professional  men  now  have  a  typewriter,  especially  lawyers, 
if  their  business  will  allow  or  can  afford  it.  Probably  they 
will  work  for  less  than  a  man,  or  it  may  be  that  they  are 
more  efficient.  It  is  surely  not  simply  a  "fad,"  but  renders 
them  more  independent. 

Quite  a  number  of  young  women  have  become  nurses  in 
hospitals  where  they  are  doing  a  most  excellent  work.  This 
has  also  developed  since  1870.  The  first  Southern  woman 
to  enter  the  medical  profession  was  from  Mecklenburg 
county.  Dr.  Annie  L.  Alexander  graduated  in  Philadelphia 
in  1884,  has  been  a  successful  practitioner  ever  since,  and 
has  led  the  way  in  this  new  venture  in  all  the  Southern  States 
where  many  have  since  followed,  and  are  meeting  with  suc- 
cess in  their  new  calling. 

The  time  was  in  the  early  part  of  the  century  when  an  ed- 
ucation was  almost  impossible  for  a  woman  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances to  attain.  Then  but  few  attained  positions  above 
that  of  helping  about  the  house,  taking  care  of  the  young 
children,  raising  chickens,  milking  the  cows  and  making  but- 
ter, or  working  in  the  fields.  In  the  early  years  of  the  cen- 
tury, it  was  more  than  fashionable  for  young  people  to 
marry;  it  was  natural,  and  it  was  the  rule  and  not  the  excep- 
tion to  raise  large  families.  From  twelve  to  sixteen  children 
was  by  no  means  uncommon.  And  the  Psalmist  was  often 
quoted  where  he  said,  "Hapy  is  the  man  who  has  his  quiver 


328  HISTORY   OF 

full  of  them."  In  that  age  the  people  lived  plainly;  the 
hours  of  the  day  and  night  were  kept  separate,  the  day  for 
work  and  the  night  for  sleep  and  rest.  They  raised  on  the 
farm  what  they  wanted  to  eat,  and  spun  their  clothing  at 
home.  It  was  considered  quite  an  accomplishment  for  the 
mistress  of  a  household  to  be  an  expert  in  cutting  and  fitting 
a  dress,  a  man's  coat,  vest  and  pants.  This  was  an  accom- 
plishment to  be  proud  of.  If  a  man  should  be  so  unfortunate 
as  to  marry  a  woman  who  knew  nothing  about  having  the 
family  clothed  and  fed,  and  the  house  furnishings  attended 
to,  with  a  growing  family  of  children  to  provide  for.  he  was 
to  be  pitied  indeed.  Such  cases  were  rare,  but  not  unknown. 
Newspapers  were  scarce  at  this  period,  and  the  dime  novel 
was  unheard  of,  and  the  light,  trashy  reading  of  the  present 
day  was  undreamed  of.  Hence  no  time  was  idled  reading 
unprofitable  works. 


Pak-frol  in  Sla.very. 

Many  chang-es  have  taken  place  in  the  last  forty  years, 
mostly  for  th.e  betterment  of  our  people.  About  the  year 
1740  people  began  to  move  from  the  older  settled  portions 
of  the  country  to  find  new  homes  in  the  various  sections  of 
the  county.  From  the  time  the  first  emigrants  began  to  seek 
homes  in  the  wilds  of  this  part  of  the  country — before  the 
county  was  laid  off — the  negro  came  along  as  part  of  the 
emigrants'  family,  with  no  one  to  interfere  or  put  mischief 
in  his  head:  but  was  taught  the  rudiments  of  religion  with 
the  skill  of  cultivating  the  soil.  That  was  a  time  when  one 
section  did  not  envy  another,  but  stood  ready  to  lend  a  help- 
ing hand  against  a  native  foe,  and  a  few  years  later  to  com- 
bine against  the  tyranny  of  England. 

The  climate  and  soil  of  Mecklenburg  were  suitable  and 
were  eminently  fitted  for  slave  labor  to  be  profitable.  In  one 
hundred  years  the  increase  in  numbers  was  very  great,  not- 
withstanding large  numbers  were  moved  South  and  West, 
as  the  citizens  sought  more  fertile  lands,  as  the  markets  of 
the  world  were  opened  up  to  king  cotton.  It  soon  became 
the  custom  to  sell  all  the  bad  negroes ;  in  fact,  the  good  peo^ 
pie  of  a  neighborhood  would  not  tolerate  a  bad  character  at 
home,  either  man  or  woman.  One  who  was  smart  and  given 
to  crime,  had  a  most  pernicious  effect  on  those  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact;  hence  he  was  promptly  sold  out  of  the 
State.  It  was  to  prevent  negroes  from  holding  meetings  at 
night  and  on  Sundays  for  planning  mischief,  that  our  county 
courts  organized  the  patrol  to  keep  the  negroes  from  congre- 
gating at  places  unbeknown  to  their  masters.  They  were 
permitted  to  go  to  the  church  of  their  choice,  and  were  not 
interfered  with.  If  they  wanted  to  visit  any  of  their  friends 
at  night  or  Sunday,  they  could  easily  get  a  pass,  which  would 
insure  them  safety  from  the  patrol.  The  last  twenty-five 
years  of  their  servitude,  the  patrols  were  very  vigilantly  en- 


330  HISTORY    OF 

gaged  in  looking  after  the  interests  of  the  South.  In  about 
1845  it  was  no  unusual  thing  for  Northern  school  teachers — 
both  men  and  women — to  come  down  South  to  teach  school, 
and  frequently  hold  secret  meetings  with  the  negroes,  doing 
a  great  deal  of  harm  to  our  system  of  labor,  and  as  abolition- 
ists, rendering  the  negroes  dissatisfied  with  their  lot.  This 
was  the  prime  cause  of  appointing  a  patrol,  and  in  justifica- 
tion of  the  good  name  of  the  people  of  Mecklenburg,  one 
raid  of  the  patrol  will  be  given : 

One  afternoon  in  the  autumn  of  1845,  Capt.  Caleb  Hunter, 
who  lived  in  Prosperity  neighborhood,  received  a  letter 
from  Capt.  Johnston,  of  Paw  Creek,  requesting  him  to  bring 
his  contingent  of  police  or  patrol,  and  make  a  visit  in  Paw 
Creek,  according  to  agreement.  On  Sunday  evening  about 
sun  down,  Capt.  Hunter,  James  Alexander,  David  Allen, 
Henry  Hunter,  Columbus  Corum,  with  probably  two  or 
three  more,  started  for  the  appointed  place  in  Paw  Creek. 
When  the  place  was  reached,  Capt.  Johnston  was  in  his  yard 
awaiting  their  arrival.  The  two  captains  conferred  together 
as  to  their  expected  gain,  and  what  should  be  done  with  it, 
if  found,  A  ride  of  two  miles  more  brought  them  to  the 
place.  Silently  they  approached  the  negro  house.  They  re- 
quested the  door  to  be  opened,  and  a  light  was  quickly  made, 
when  Mr.  Allen  espied  a  very  fair  skinned  man  lying  very 
cozily  in  bed  with  his  "Dulcinia  del  Tobosa,"  Mr,  Allen 
took  him  by  the  collar,  and  as  he  led  him  out,  he  whispered, 
"I  am  a  while  man;  I  am  a  white  man."  His  captor  pre- 
tended no't  to  hear  him,  when  he  spoke  louder  and  said,  "I 
am  Mr.  Cook,  the  school  teacher."  With  this  Mr.  Allen 
gave  him  a  slap  on  the  face  and  said,  "You  lying  scoundrel, 
you  are  trying  to  pass  yourself  off  for  Mr.  Cook.  Mr.  Cook 
is  a  gentleman  and  would  not  be  caught  in  a  negro  house; 
draw  your  shirt ;  we  will  learn  you  not  to  try  to  pass  yourself 
for  Mr.  Cook,  you  trifling  mulatto."  Here  the  captain  spoke 
up  and  ordered  him  to  be  given  thirty-nine  lashes  on  account 
of  his  impudence.    The  law  was  soon  satisfied,  and  the  mis- 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY.  33 1 

cegenationist  no  longer  tokrated  in  the  county.  Such  char- 
acters were  frequently  foiuid  as  camp  follower  in  the  wake  of 
the  Yankee  army,  sowing  the  seeds  of  disaffection  and  an- 
archy and  all  the  ills  that  follow  where  license  is  encouraged, 
both  by  precept  and  example,  and  where  law  and  order  are 
ignored. 

The  system  of  patrolling  where  judicially  carried  out,  was 
an  important  factor  in  preventing  trouble  with  both  negroes 
a'^d  whites.  Mean  white  men  always  made  mean  negroes; 
hence  the  necessity  for  a  patrol  to  make  each  race  know  their 
position  in  society.  It  seems  to  have  been  natural  for  the 
negro  to  steal,  but  if  he  did  not  get  encouragement  from  the 
low  order  of  the  white  race,  he  would  not  be  noted  for  his 
proficiency  in  the  pilfering  art.  In  ante-bellum  times  when  a 
negro  was  strongly  suspected  of  trading  with  a  white  man, 
their  maneuvers  were  closely  watched  by  the  patrol,  and 
when  caught,  the  negro  was  whipped  and  the  white  man 
heavily  fined,  or  punished  by  whipping,  stocks,  or  imprison- 
ment. These  were  ante-bellum  ways  of  dealing  with  crime; 
and  it  was  much  more  effective  than  the  present,  which  seems 
to  say  "We  are  sorry  to  imprison  you,  but  we  will  be  as  light 
as  possible."  When  not  interfered  with  by  those  who  have 
no  interest  in  their  welfare,  the  negroes  were  a  contented 
and  happy  people.  They  seldom  appeared  in  our  courts,  only 
in  the  gravest  of  crimes,  and  then  they  were  the  dupes  of  un- 
principled white  men.  Well-bahaved  negroes  had  the  re- 
spect of  the  good  people  wherever  known;  but  bad  and  dis- 
reputable white  men  were  equally  despised  by  both  white 
and  colored  persons.  As  a  general  rule  negroes  hated  "poor 
white  trash,"  and  when  spoken  to  by  them,  gave  unmistaka- 
ble evidence  that  they  considered  them  their  inferiors.  Any- 
thing that  the  master  or  mistress  trusted  to  the  care  of  a 
negro  was  as  safe  as  if  deposited  in  the  vaults  of  a  bank. 
They  were  remarkably  true  to  each  other,  except  in  cases 
where  there  had  been  a  quarrel,  or  a  falling  out.  They  would 
never  give  away  one  of  their  color. 


332  HISTORY    OF 

It  was  a  noted  fact  that  they  wotild  submit  to  the  lash 
rather  than  tell  on  each  other,  even  in  arson  and  murder. 
There  is  as  much  difference  in  the  breed  of  negroes  as  in  the 
breed  of  white  people.  Some  are  very  tractable  and  docile, 
others  are  morose  and  vicious.  A  patrol  will  be  needed  for 
many  years  to  come. 


Roster  of  the  Twenty-One  Companies  Furnished 
by  Mecklenb\irg  County,  N.  C,  in  the  Wa.r 
of  1861-65. 

To  preserve  a  correct  list  of  all  Confederate  troops  fur- 
nished by  Mecklenburg  county,  N.  C,  it  was  moN'ed  by 
Capt.  John  R.  Irwin,  in  the  camp  of  United  Confederate  Vet- 
erans, while  holding  a  reunion  at  Sharon  church,  August 
31,  1894,  that  Dr.  J.  B.  Alexander  be  appointed  to  make  a 
Roster  of  all  Confederate  troops  from  Mecklenburg  county, 
and  have  the  same  published  at  his  earliest  convenience. 
The  resolution  was  adopted  without  a  dissenting  voice. 

S.  H.  Hilton,  Lieut.  Com'dcr. 

D.  G.  Maxwell,  Adjut.  and  Sec. 

It  should  be  preserved  as  important  in  the  history  of 
Mecklenburg  county,  that  in  i860,  at  the  general  election 
for  governor,  the  vote  stood:  For  John  W.  Ellis.  1,274; 
for  John  Pool,  757;  total,  2,031.  Soldiers  sent  to  the  C.  S. 
A.  by  Mecklenburg  county,  2,713.  Were  not  the  people 
terribly  in  earnest?  The  number  killed,  wounded  and  died 
in  the  service,  was  beyond  a  parallel.  The  patriotism  our 
people  are  noted  for  was  handed  down  from  sire  to  son,  from 
1775  to  1 86 1.  Those  who  were  patriots  in  the  first  revolu- 
tion, propagated  in  every  instance  patriots  in  the  second. 
Blood  will  tell. 

Key  to  Abbreviations. — w,  wounded;  k,  killed;  w.  c, 
wounded  and  captured;  d,  died. 


334 


HISTORY    OF 


ROSTER. 


Company   B,    First,   or  Bethel, 
Re}:iment.  (Six  Months  Men.) 

Officers. 

Li.  S.     Williams,     captain,     cm. 
April    iSth,    -61,    Mecklenburg 
Co. 

W.  A.  Owens,  captian.R. 

W.  A.  Owens,  lot  lieutenant, 
cm.  April  18th,  '61,  Mecklen- 
burg Co. 

P.,  Major  of    34th  Regt    and 
Lieut.   Regt.,  K. 

Robt.  Rrice,  1st  lieut.,  (Elulcd). 

W.  P.  Hill.  2nd  lieut. 

T.  D.  Gillespie,  3rd  lieut. 

Non-Commissioned  Officers. 
T.  D.  Gillespie.  1st  sergeant. 
J.  H.  Wyatt,  2nd  sergeant. 
J.   B.   F.-ench,   4th  sergeant 
R.  B.  Davis.  1st  corporal. 
J.  J.   Alexander,  2nd  corporal. 
W.  M.  iviattheus,  Jr.  3rd    corpo- 
ral. 
A.    M.    Rhym,   4th   corporal. 
Phillips,  1st  sergeant. 
Black  Davis,  corporal. 
Julius  Alexander,  sergeant. 
Minor   Saddler,    druggist. 

Privates. 

AnJerPon,  C. 
Alexander,  J.  L. 
Alexander,  M.  E. 
Alexander.    F.    T. 
Barnctt,    William. 
Bond,   Newton. 
Boone,  J.  B.  T. 
Black,  Josiah. 
Bourdeaux.  A.  J. 
Biggart,    W.    S. 
Crawford,  R.  R. 
Crowel'.  E.  M. 
Caldwell,  R.  B. 
Caldwell,    J.    E. 
Cannedv,  Robt. 
Davis.  J.  G.  A. 
Davis,  R.  A.  G. 
Davidson.  J.  F. 
Dorsett.  J.  F. 
Dyer.  W.  G. 
Eagle,   A. 
Eagle.  John. 
Frazier.  M.  L.. 
Frazier   John. 
Fredrick,  J.  R. 
Fullenwelder,  H. 


I'"*anygen,  M.  L. 
Gray,  H.  N. 
Gray,  R.  F. 
Grier,  S.  A. 
Graham,  S.  R. 
Gillett,  J.  H. 
Griffin,  J.  H. 
Hunter,  J.  II. 
Hollingsworth,  B. 
Harris,  W.  L. 
Howell,  S.  A. 
Hilton,    S.    H. 
Henderpon,  W.  M. 
Howell,  E.  M. 
Jacobs,  G.  W. 
Jones.   Milton. 
Ja?ma,  L.  R. 
Kesiah.  Wm. 
Kerr,  Wm.  J. 
Landler.  Orminer. 
Lee,  J.  M. 
McGinnis,  R.  C. 

Lowrie.  J.   B.,  k  at  Gettysburg. 
Muny,  T.  N. 
McDonald,  Allen. 
McCorkle.   R.   B. 
Mosley,  M. 
Mean=.   W.  N.  M. 
Mehnlers.   John. 
Nichols.  J.  S. 
Norment,  A.  A. 
Gates,   Jis.   H. 
Oateo.  Coowy. 
Orr,  S.  H. 
Price.  R.  S. 
Paredoo.S. 
Phifer,   R. 
Pftts,  J.  H. 
Price.  Joseph. 
Phelps,  H.  M. 
Query,  R.  W. 
Ro«^e.    W.    C. 
Rieler.  G.  H. 
Rea,   W.  P. 
Rose.  W.  C. 
Rozzell,  W.  P. 
Squires,  J.  B. 
Stowe.  John. 
Sharpe.  R.  A. 
■Shaw,  L.  W.  A. 
iSadler,  Julius. 
Smfth,  J.  Perry. 
Steel.  M.  D. 
Sheppard.  J.  W. 
Taylor,  J.  W. 
Torrence.  Gporge. 
Tovam,   Willam. 
Tiddv    J.   p. 
Tiddy,  R.  A. 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


335 


Tate,  A.  H. 

Tate,  Henry. 

Thompson,  R. 

Wagner,  J.  W. 

Win  die,  M.  F. 

Wiley,    W.  J. 

Williams,  W.  S. 

William?on,  J.  W. 

Total,   lOS  men. 
I 
Charlotte  Grays,  Company    C, 

First  N.  c.  (Bethel)  Regiment. 

Enlisted  April,  1861. 
Officers. 

E.  A.  Ross,  Capt.    P.    Maj.     of 
nth  N.  c. 

E.  B.  Cohen,  1st  lieut  . 

T.  B.  Trotter.  2nd  lieut. 

C.  W.  Alexander,  2nd  lieut. 

C.  R.   Staley,  orderly  sergeant. 
J.  P.   Elms.     2nd    sergeant,     P. 

lieut..  37th   N.  C. 
J.  G.  MrOorklp.  3rd  lieut. 
W.  G.  Berryhill,  4th  lieut. 

D.  L.  Biingle,  5th  or  Ensign. 
W.  D.     Elms,    1st    corporal,    P. 

C3pt.  37 th  N.  C. 
W.   B.   Taylor,  2nd  corporal,  P. 

2nd  Lieut.,  Co.   A,  11th  N.  C. 
Henry  Terri",  3rd  corpora.l. 
George  Wclfe,  4th  corporal. 
Dr.  J.  B.  Boyd,  surgeon. 

Privates. 

Alexander,  M.  R, 

Alexander,  T.  A. 

Adams,  Lindsey. 

Andrey,  J.  P.,  P.     Capt.,     4^th 

N.  C. 
Ardrey,  W.  E.,  P.  Capt.,     30th 

N.   C. 
Brown,  A.  H. 
Brown.  Wm. 
Brown. Wm.  J. 
Britton.   Ed.  P, 
Behrends.  L. 
Calder.  Wm. 
Cathev.  J.  W. 
Caldwell.  S.  P. 
Crawpon.   J.   P. 
Cowan.  T.  B. 
—  Campbell,  T.  J. 
Clendenren.  J.  W. 
ColHns.  J.  P. 
Davis,  T.  G. 
Downs,  T.  J.,  P.     Lieut.,     30th 

N.   C. 
Downs,   L.   W. 
Davidson.  J.  P.  A. 
Dunn,  J.  R. 
EngeJ,  J. 


Earnheardt,    J.  M. 

Ezzell,   M.    P. 

Ezzell,  J.  A. 

Elliott,    S.   H. 

Elliott,  J.  A. 

Flow,   R.H. 

Flore,  James. 

Frazier,  I.  S.  A. 

Grier,   R.  H.,     P.     Lieut.,     49th 

N.  C. 
Grier,  J.  C.  Capt..  49th  N.  C. 
Grier,  J.  M. 
Gibson,  J.  A. 
Glenn.  D.  P. 
Gribble,  J.  R. 
Gray,  N. 
Gil'espie,  R.  L. 
Hall,  D.  W. 
Hill,  J.  C. 
Hill,  W.  J. 
Hill.    H.    H. 
Harrel,  W.  Lee',  P.  C^pt.  A  llth 

N.  C. 
Hand,  Robt.  H.     P.     Lieut.     A 

11th   N.  C. 
Howard,    R.   H. 
Howard,  Thomas. 
Hutchison,  Jas.  M. 
Hutch-Son,    Cynes    N. 
Holton,  Tom  P. 
Harkey,  Tom  M. 
Holms    T.  Lindsey. 
H'askell  Jas    T. 
Han  =  er,  W.  T. 
Herron,  George  T. 
Howey,  Geo.  W. 
Harkey,  Jacob. 
Henderson,   L.   P. 
Isreal.   Jack   R. 
Icehower.   Wm.   S. 
Ingold,    E.   P. 
Johnson,  Robt.  W. 
Houston.  Harper  C. 
Hymans,  S. 
Kntz.  Jacob. 
Kl=tler,   Wm.  H. 
Kinsey.  Jack  A. 
Knox  J.  H. 
Keenan,  Robt. 
Leon,    Louis. 
Levi,  J.  C. 
Leopold.  Jacob. 
Moyle,  Henry. 
McGinn.   Tom   P. 
IMcKinley,  John. 
McKeever,  Wm. 
McDonald,  D.  Watt. 
McDonald,  John  H. 
Montelth,   Robt.   J. 
Montieth,   Moses  O. 
McElroy,  ?am'l  J. 
Norment,  Jack. 
Normetnt,  Isaac. 


32^ 


HISTORY    OF 


NeaJ,    Wm.    B. 

Ntal,   L,   M. 

Neal  S.  R. 

Neal,  P.  A. 

Neely,  Thomas  W. 

Oppenheim,  S. 

Orr,  J.  T. 

Osborne.  John  L. 

Orman,  J.  E. 

Pettus,  Mack. 

Phillips,  S.  A. 

Carter,  W.  R. 

Carter,  R.  A. 

Potts,    John    G,    P.    Lieut.,    49th 

Rgt. 
Patts,   Wm.    M. 
Potts,  Lawson  A.  P.  Capt.  37th 

N.  C. 
Queny,    Calvin   M. 
Ruddock,  Theo.  C. 
Rea,  J.  R. 
Rea,   D.   B. 
Stone,  Wm.  D. 
Steele.  W. 
iStovve,  Jim  M. 
Sizer,  Wm.  E. 
Sims,   J.   Monroe,    Q.   M.    Serg-t. 

11th  N.  C. 
Springs,   Richard  A. 
Smith,   C.   Ed. 
iSmith,   S.   B. 
Smith,    M.    H. 
Smith,  W.  J.  B. 
Saville,   W.     H. 
Sample,   John   W. 
Sample,   David  I. 
iSaville,  James  M. 
Simp?on,   Robt.   Frank. 
Todd,    S.    E. 
Todd,   Wm. 
Treloan,  John  W. 
Tate,  Hugh  A. 
Watt.  Charles  B. 
Watt  B.  Frank. 
WinaratP,    C.    C. 
Wolfe,  T.  D. 
Wolfe.  T.  J. 
Wiley,   John. 
Total,  143  offlcers  and  rrr 

Coiti'-any  C,  Firft  Regiment  N. 
C.  Cavalry, 

Officers. 
J.  M.  Miller,  ca'ptian. 
M.   D.   L.   MoLeod. 
R.  H.  Maxwell,  lieut. 
J.   L.   Morrow,  lieut.,  k. 
W  .   B.   Field,   lieut. 
J.  F.  Johnson,  oaptian. 


Non-Comm  issioned  Officers. 

M.   Steel. 

D.  S.  Hutchison. 

J.  P.  Alexander. 

P.  C.  Haikey. 

J.  M.  Pugh. 
-    R.  H.  Cambell. 

D.  K.  Orr,  w. 

J.  Lewellyn. 

M.  L.  Davis. 

J.   B.   Stearns. 

J.    W.    Moore. 

J.  W.  Kizziah. 

W.  T.   Bishop. 


Antrice,  J.   W. 
Antrice,  W.  M.,  d. 
Archey,  J.  W. 
Anderson,  L.  D. 
Ardrery,  J.  W. 
Blake,  S.  N. 
Earris,  E.  C. 
Burris,  J.  T. 
Breffard,  W.  J. 
Ballard,  F.  A. 
Ballaru,  J.  L. 
Boyd,  P.  L. 
Butler,  J.  T. 
Black,   T.    N. 
Barnett,  T.  E.,  k. 
Calloway,  J.  C,  d. 
Cobble,  J.  D. 
Conner,  T.  A.,  d. 
Cottraim.    A.   W. 
Carroll,  J.  H. 
Craig,    M.   F. 
Cruse,  M.  C. 
Crump,   R.   H. 
Cathey     J.    W. 
Davidson,    E.    C. 
Dulin,  J.  M.,  d. 
Edleman,  T.  P. 
Edwards,  A.  J. 
Edwards,  E.,  k. 
Efird,  J.  C. 
Efird,  J.  E. 
Finley,  M.  K.,  w. 
Furr,  John,  d. 
Flow,  E. 
Flow,  J.   M.,   w. 
Fords,  H.  H. 
Tredermick,  W.  S., 
Tre>!prmirk.    N.    P. 
Tredermick,  J.  R. 
GiHespie,    S.    A. 
Gaiisesen.  W.  G. 
Gillespie,  A.  M. 
Goodsen.  H.  M- 
Graham,  J.  R. 


MECKI.ENBURG   COUNTY. 


337 


Hurston,   A.   W. 
Harget,  Harrison.,  d. 
Hargett,  F.  M..  d. 
Hargett,  Osborne. 
Hargett,  H.  M. 
Harkey.  T.  B.,  d- 
Helms,  J.  A. 
Helms,  J.  W. 
Helms,  H.  M.,  c 
Hopkins,  P. 
Hudson,  J.  H. 
Holden,  E.  M.,  d. 
Hilton,    S.   H. 
Henderson,  W,  M.  F. 
Hunter,  J.  W.,  w. 
Hartis,  M.  A. 
Hartis.  A.  L. 
Holbrook,  A. 
Johnson,  W.  P. 
Jennings,  C.  J. 
Jordan,  B.  F. 
King,  R.  R. 
Lewis,  C.  J. 
Lfewis,  J.   M, 

Morris,   G.   C, 
Martin,  Edward. 

McCall,  J.  M. 

McCarver,  Jas. 

McNeely,  T.  N.,  w. 
McLeod,   J.   M.,  w. 

McCall,  J.  A. 
McGinnis,   John. 
McDoughall,   M. 

McCall,    Wm. 

McCarver,   Alex. 

Noles,  A.  T.,  d. 

Noles,   W.   A. 

Orr,  J.  A.,  k. 

Orr,  J.  J.,  k. 

Orr,  N.   D.,  w. 

Parks    J.  L...  c. 

Potts,  T.  E. 

Potts,   C.  A. 

Pholan,    J. 

Page,  E.  M. 

Peach,  H. 

Rea,  J.  M. 

Rea,  D.  B. 

Robson,  G.  M. 

Reenhardt,    J.   P. 

Rea,  W.  A. 

Rea,  R.  R. 

Rea,  Robt. 

Rea,  J.  L. 

Sparrow,  J.  9. 

Smith,  J.  W. 

Stanis,  J.  B. 

Schneider.  G. 

Sanders,  W.  H. 

Stams,  C.  R.,  c. 

Steele,   W.   G. 

Stucker,  Christian. 

Ty«,  W.  B.,  deserted. 


Tomberlen,  E.  M.,  w. 
Thompson,  J.  N.,  d. 
Taylor,  A.  W. 
Taylor,  Art.  deserted. 
Taylor,   J.   C. 
Taylor,  J.  A. 
Taylor,  J.  M. 
Tomlin,  J. 
Taylor,  W.  F. 
Thompson,   R.  G. 
Underwood,  S,  M. 
VanPelt,  J.  N. 
Vance,  J.  C,  d. 
Ualle,   P.   O 
Watson,   W.   A. 
White,  J.   S. 
Wilson,  John. 
Williamson,  J.  A. 
Werner,   L.. 
Wallace,  M.  L.,  k. 
Williford,  T.  F. 
Walker,  J.  B. 
Wallace,  Wm.,  k. 
Williams,  J.  M. 
Whitaker,  H.  A.,  k. 
Yandle,  W.  A. 
Yandl3,  W.  H. 
Yandl-.  J.B. 

Total,  145;  from  other  counties 
56;  8  wounded;  killed  9. 

Company  D,  Seventh  Regiment. 

Officers. 

Captain  W.  L.  D-avidson. 

Captain  T.  J.  Cahill. 

Wm.  J.  Kerr,,  W.  '62,  K.'63. 

Tim  P.  Mollay. 

Lieutenants,  I.  E.  Brown,  J.  A. 
Torrence,  B.  H.  Davidson, 
Thos.  P.  Mollay,  P.  J.  Kirby. 

Non-Commissioned  Officers. 
McLure,  Jas.  M. 
James  Paul. 
LeLaiin,  Al. 
Herbert,   W.   G.  W. 
Wedlock,  W. 
Jamison,   S.   N. 
Clark,  Jas. 
Bundle,  Thos. 

Privates. 

Alexander,  Wm.,  d. 
Anderson,  Richard. 
Ayers,  A.  G.,  c.  .'62. 
Bynum,  Rufus.  d. 
Buglin,    Patrick, 
Beard,  J.  H.,  d. 
Bennett,  G.  W. 
Bennett,  J.     G. 
pprry.    Jas. 


338 


HISTORY    OF 


Bolton,  G.  B. 
Brannan,  Patrick. 
Brinkla,  John.,  w. 
Brinkle,  Thos. 
Burnett,  J.  S.,  d.  '62 
Brown,  J.  J.,  w.  '63 
Eillow,  W.  H.,  d,  '62. 
Brown,  Alex. 
Bxown,  Nicholas. 
Donovan,  Philip. 
Donovan,  Jeremiah. 
Daslnger,  Francis. 
Dobson,  Hiram. 
Davidson,  J.  W. 
Davidson.  B.  W. 
Elliott,  Wm. 
Elmore.  J.  T.,  d. 
Eller,  John. 
Edmirton,  J.  R.,  k. 
Frlck,  Jacob. 
Fogleman,   P.  L. 
Gallagher,  Arch,  w. 
Claywell,  J.  F.,  d.  '62. 
Carricker,  Levi  d.  '62. 
Catkin,    Tim   L. 
Cable,  Lewis. 
Conder,  Wiley,  k.  '63. 
Collins,  John. 
Chancy,  John. 
Oalder.  Wm.,  Sr. 
Calder,   Wm.,  Jr. 
Cashion,  Wm.,  w. 
Cashion,  Thomas,  k. 
Carter.  F.  B..  d. 
Gallagher,  Jas. 
Gleason,  Jas.  W. 
Grady,  Jas. 
Griffin,  Thos. 
<3oodman,  S   C. 
Graves,  A.  C. 
<?rant,  R.  W. 
Hartsell,   J.    M.,   w. 
Howell,  Jas. 
Howell,  John. 
Howell,  David,  w. 
Harris,  Francis.,  k. 
Hicks,  T.  W.,  w. 
Halshouser,  A.  R. 
Uanna,  J.  M.,  d. 
Humble,  David. 
Icenhour,   P.   E. 
Jackson,  John. 
John  E.  Edward,  k. 
Jones,  David,   K. 
Jannlson,  R.  J.,  w. 
Johnson,  Thos. 
Johnson.  Rufus. 
Jamerson.  S.  N. 
Kurtz.  P.  K. 
Kelley,  Lowerence,  w. 
Kanapum.  A.  E. 
Klrby,  Patrick,  vr. 
Kis-lPr.    'Wm. 


Kennedy,  Jepe. 
Dane,  A.  D. 
Mason,  Wiley  J. 
McConnell,  Thos. 
McLellan,  W.  A. 
McGarar,  Wm.  W. 
Meredith,  Stephen  W. 
McGuire,  John  K. 
McGinnis,  George. 
Munsey,  John. 
Mulson,  Robt. 
McBean,  John. 
Mason,  W.  B. 
McConnell.  T.  A.,  d. 
McConnell,   A.    M. 
Meredith,  J. 
Newton,  Eli. 
Newton,  Meredith,  d. 
Newton,  John,  k. 
Nail,   Richmond,  k. 
Nantz.  A.  E. 
Oliver,  Calvin. 
Plyler,  R.  C. 
Packard,  John. 
Petit.  Jas. 
Patterson,  J.  E.,  k. 
Quinn,  Jas. 
Rhodes.  Wm. 
Rafferty,  Thos. 
Rogers,  Jas. 
Rogers,  J.  C. 
_  Reynolds.  John. 
Riddick,  H.  L. 
Riddick,  J.  A. 
Rolmer,  W.  C. 
Riggins,  Robt. 
Sullivan.  D.  C. 
Stephens,  M. 
Spears,  Wm.  H. 
Stewart,  Thos.  A  . 
Sherill.    N.    J. 
Seagraves,  A.  C. 
Sanders,  G.  W.,  k, 
Sheridan,  John,  w. 
Stanning,    Wm. 
Stroups,  David,  k. 
Spawl.  A.  B. 
Skinner,  S.  L. 
Sullivan.  D.  C. 
Staley,  John. 
Staly,  W.  Y. 
Towey,  Lewis. 
Vincent.  Jas.  B. 
Vaker.  Wm.,  w. 
Vance,  Richard. 
Vaughn,  H.  J. 
Weaver,  Wm. 
Wilson,   Lewis. 
Woodard.  W.  L..  d. 
Williamson.  D.  J. 
Whalon.   Roderick,  f 
Wllkerson,   W. 
Wllkerson,  J.  H. 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


'339 


Winecoff,  J.  T.,  k. 
Washam,  J.  B  ,  d. 

Company    C,    Tenth    Regiment 
Artillery,  N.  C  Troops. 

Officers. 

T.  H.  Brem  captain. 

Jos.  Graham,  captain. 

A.  B.  Williams,  captain,  w. 

Robt.   Lowrie,   lieut. 

W.  B.  Lewis,  lieut. 

Abdan  Alexander,  lieut.,  w, 

T.  L.  Seigle,  lieut.,  w. 

H.  A.  Albright,  lieut. 

J.  S.  Davidson,  sergeant. 

Dennis  Collins,  sergeant. 

J.  L..  Hoffman,  sergeant 

R.  V.  Gudger,  sergeant. 

J.   E.   Albright,   sergeant. 

R.  P.  Chapman,  sergeant,  w. 

J.  P.  Smith,  sergeant. 

Moses  Blackwelder,  corporal,  d. 

D.  M.  Li.  Yont,  corporal. 

Patrick  Lyons,  corporal. 

Mathero  Chapman,  corporal, 

M.  A.  Henderson,  corporal. 

W.  W.   Shelby,   corporal. 

W.  S.  Williams,  corporal. 

Dan  W.  McLean,  corporal. 

I.  N.  Peoples,   sergeant,   d. 

Jas.   W.   Murry,   bugler. 

R.  R.  Peoples,  guidon. 

Wm.  H.  Runfelt. 

Privates. 

Abernathy,  James. 
Abernathy,    Clem   H. 
Abernathy,   Wm. 
Armstrong,  Mathews,  w. 
Baldwin,   Alfred. 
Beatty,   Wm. 
Beatty,  J.  W. 
Bridgers,   W.   B. 
Burus,  Jas. 
Brackett,  Wm. 
Broadway,  Whitson. 
Buff,  Henry. 
Baker,  J.  B. 
Bray,  Winfield  M. 
Can.'ion,  Wm. 
Cannon,  Fred. 
Cannon,  Sid. 
Cannon,  JoFeph.  d. 
Cannon,  Francis. 
Carroll,  Francis  C. 
Connell,  S.  C. 
Com. ell.  Jas.  H. 
Chapman,  A.  H. 
Chapman,  Wm. 
Chapman,  Peter. 


Cochrane,  A.  J.,  d. 
Cochrane,  David. 
Costener,  Jacob. 
Carter,  Jas. 
Kanip,  John. 
Kanip,  Henry. 
Cannon,  Wm.  S.,  c. 
Canipe,  Hardy. 
Causnet,  Martin  L. 
Cathart,  John,  d. 
Crane.  Madison  C. 
Crane,  Wm. 
Cannell,  Jas  H. 
Chalkley  ,W.  P. 
Christenbery,  A,  B.,  d. 
Doyle,   Bernard. 
Dunlap,  Sam'l  N. 
^:=©obbin,  Mark  H. 
David,  G.  K. 
Ellington,   Werley  P. 
Farley,  A. 
Finley,  Hugh. 
Fite.  Sam'l. 
Fite,  J.   C. 
Fite,  Robt.  D.  R. 
Fox,  W.  T. 
Taunt,  Sam'l. 
Yaunt.   D.   L. 
Yancy,  John. 
Freeman,   Wade. 
Freeman,    Theodore,    k. 
Dawns,  Robt.  R.,  d. 
Fullbright,   J.   K. 
Fullbright,  D.  B.,  d. 
Fullbright,  M.,  k. 
Fullbright,  K. 
Fite,   Sam'l.,   d. 
Flowers,  Jessie,  deserted. 
Fowler,  John,  deserted. 
Goodman,  John. 
Maxwell,  d. 
Markcus,  d. 
Peeler  John. 
Reding,  James. 
Wilson    John. 
Grigg,  B.  W. 
Grier,    W.   M. 
Grier,  Marshal,  w.  and  d. 
Grier,  C.  E. 
Heavener,    J.   J. 
Hoover,    T.   H. 
Hoover.  J.  D. 
Hoover,  W.  G. 
Hoover,  W.  H. 
Hoover,  T.  J. 
Howell,   Joseph. 
Hinkle.  J.  L. 
Hawkins,  J.  A. 
Hawkins,  J.  P. 
Hawkins,  Albert. 
Herrvell,  R. 
Hoyle,  D.  R. 
Hunter,  R.  B. 


340 


HISTORY   OF 


Johnson,   Daniel. 
Johnson,  R.  L. 
Johnson,  Joseph. 
JohnBon,  David. 
Jenkins,  Tillman,   k. 
Jenkins,  Aaron. 
Jenkins,  Sam'l. 
Jenkins,  Edward. 
Kaloram,  Thos.,  w. 
Knuipe,  Henry. 
Knuipe,   Peter. 
Knuipe,  Andrew. 
Kerr,  J.  H. 
Kerr,  J.  B. 
Kerr,    S.    W. 
Kerr.  R.  F. 
Uattimer,  A.  M. 
Lane,  J.  D.,  killed. 
Laughlin,  D.  P. 
Ledford,  John, 
Llndsey,  W.  G. 
Uamb,  Mike,  deserted, 
Dawler,  John,  deserted. 
Lineburger,  J.  M. 
Liawing,  A.  W. 
Lawing,  J.  W. 
Marrable,  W.   M. 
Meaghim,  W.  H. 
Marshal,  Jas.  H. 
McDuffy,  John,  k. 
McCausland,  W.  B. 
McCorkle,  Robt. 
McKinney,  Sam'l. 
Moad,  John. 
Murphy,  Daniel  C. 
Motz,  Mayfleld. 
Morris,  W.  C,  w. 
Needham,  Thos.,  d. 
Newton,  Robt. 
Nanlz.  R.  E. 
Nantz,  Calvin. 
Nantz,  R.   R. 
Carter,   Jas.    N. 
Culer.  J.  A.  J. 
Potts,  Wm.  P. 
Potts.   Jas.   A. 
Pool,  A.  W. 
Pool,  J.  T. 
Parker,  Wm, 
Queen,   Joseph. 
Queen,  Laban. 
Roberts,  J.   W. 
Rodden.  T.  B. 
Richards,  J.  W. 
Scott.  Nelson. 
Seaple.  G.  W. 
Shaw.  J.  G. 
Shaw.  Wm. 
Shelby,  J.  M. 
Sloan,  J.  W. 
Sloan,  Sam'l.,  k. 
Sloan,  Robt..  d. 
Sloan,  Robt.,  w. 


Smith,  J.  A. 

Smith,    Jacob. 

Smith,  George. 

Smith.  W.  M. 

Stamy,  John,  d. 

Stillwell,  Jacob,  d. 

Stutts,  J.  J.,  c. 

Stout,  S.  G. 

Summerville,  J.  W. 

Tallent,   Daniel. 

Terepaugh,  J.  H. 

Todd,   Wm. 

Towery,  A.  J. 

Towery,  Jack,  k. 

Underwood,  J.  S. 

Underwood,  J.  O. 

Underwood,    Jas. 

Underwood,  Reuben. 

Underwood,  J.  R. 

Underwood.  David. 

Veno,  Francis. 

Watts,   C.    L. 

Watt,    Charles   B. 

Walls,  A.  A. 

Wallace.  Wm, 

White,  D.  W. 

White,   A.   S. 

West,  Wm.  F. 

Wilson,  John,  transferred. 

Will.  John, 

White.   Wm. 

Delling,   Mike. 

Cannady,  Peter. 

John,  Weren. 

O'Donibo,  Mike. 

Cotter,  John. 

Quin,  Thos  I. 

Mahony,  Dennis. 

Forester,  Ned. 

Hunt,  Robt. 

Whalen,  Martin. 

Hinkle,  Jas.,  k. 

Moffitt   Eli,   d. 

Moffltt,    Wm.,    d 

Moffitt,  Samuel. 

Moffltt,  Henry. 

Blalock,   D.   O. 

McCaffry,  Hugh. 

Cidny  Connell. 

Warren  John. 

Ormsby. 

McGilbry,  J.  A. 

Heart,  Tergin. 

Ingrim,  S.  A. 

Queen   Meredith, 

Stamie,   Wm. 

Towy,  Jackson, 

Towry,    I.    A. 

Tutts,  John. 

William,   Wallace. 

McDuffie,  W.  S. 

Armstrong,  Mathew. 

Veno,  George, 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


341 


Hiallet,  Moses. 
Crowley,  Jerry. 

Company    A.    Eleventh    North 
Carolina  Regiment. 

Officers. 

E.  A.  Rof=s.  captain.  P.  Major, k. 

W.  L.  Hand.  1st  lieut..  w. 

C.  W.  Alexander,  2nd  lieut.,  re- 
tired. 

B.  H.  Hand,  lieut..  w. 

W.  B.  T'avlor,  lieut.,  w. 

J.  G.  McOorkle,  O.  S.,  P.  lieut., 
00.  E. 

J.  S.  McElroy,  S.,  w. 

R.  B.  Alexander,  S.,  w., 

J.  M.  Sims,  Q.  M.  S.,  c. 

T.  W.  Neely,  S.,  w. 

T.  C.  Ruddock,  corporal,  c. 

"W.  S.   Icehower,  corporal,  k. 

J.  R.  Grlbble,  corporal,  w. 

E.  Lewis,  corporal,  w. 

Privates. 

Alexander,  M.  R.,  w. 

McAlexander,  M.,  k. 

Alexander.  M  A.  .,  k. 

Alexander,    J.    G.,    k. 

Alexander,  W.   S. 

Alexander,   R.   C. 

Alexander,  J.  N.,  w. 

Allen.   H.   W..   w. 

Allen,   C.   A. 

Allen,  L. 

Auten,    P.    S.,   k. 

Barnett,   E.   L.   S. 

Barnett,  J.  F. 

Barnett,  J.  L..  k. 

Blakely,  M.  F. 

Blakely,  J.  J.,  k. 

Byrum,  James. 

Brigman,  C.  C.,  w. 

Black.  J.   M. 

Black,  T.  J.,  w. 

Black,  Ezekial. 

Bighorn,  J.   R.,  w. 

Bigrham,  J.  W.,  w. 

Brown,   W.   J.,   P.   sergeant,   w. 

■Creasman,  J. 

Cochrane,  J.  F. 
—  Campbell,  W.  H. 

Cheshier,   M.   E. 

Duckworth,  H.  D.,  w. 

Duckworth,  J.  A. 

Deaton,  J.  C. 

Dulin,  Daniel,  w. 

Darnell.    Jack,    W. 

Earnhearrit,  J.  H.,  k. 

Earnhardt,  J.  M.,  p.  to  d.  s.,  w. 

Earnheardt.  "W.   C. 

Earnheardt.  S.  O. 


Ewing,  W.  E.,  w. 

Ewing,  G.  R.,  w. 

Elliott,  W.  A.,  k. 

Elms,  J.  P.,  P.  Lt,  k. 

Flow.  R.  H..  w. 

Frazier.  I.  S.  A.,  w. 

Fisher.  J.  W. 

Ford,  W.  C. 

Galoway.  J.  S.,  k. 

Gray,  W.  W. 

Gibson.  J.  A. 

Glenn,  D.  P.,  w. 

Glenn.    F.    C. 

Glover,    Joshua,    w. 

Garrison,   J.    S.,    k. 

Groves,  R.  H. 

Goodrum,  W.  J.,  k. 

Goodrum,  C.  H. 

Hill,  H.  H.,  w. 

Hill.  Milton. 

Hill,  Miles,  w. 

Hovis,  Monroe,  w. 

Hand,  A.  J. 

Henderpon,  T.  S. 

Henderson,  T.  M. 

Herrnn.  G.  T.,w. 

Hutchison,  J.  H.,  k. 

Holms,  T.  L..  k. 

Hunter,  T.  H. 

Hunter,  M.  B. 

Hunter.  D.  P. 

Hert-on,  J.  M. 

Hinson.  G.  T.,  k. 

Howard.  T.  M. 

Hobbs,  F.,  w. 

Harris.   W.   C. 

Harris,  N.  O.,  w. 

Hutspeth.   L. 

Johnson,  Alfred. 

Johnson,  T.  N.,  w. 

Jenkins,    David,   w. 

Jenkins,  Jacob. 

Kerns,    J.    D. 

Kenedy,  Wm.,  w. 

Knipper,  Thos. 

Kine,  J.  A. 

King.  C.  C,  w. 

Kinnev,  B. 

Monteith,  R.  J. 

Monteith.  H.  L.  D, 

Monteith,  M.  O.,  k. 

McCon.iell,  J.   H.,  w. 

McConnell,  J.  F..  k. 

McConnell.  T.  Y. 

McWhirter,   J.   H.,   w. 

McWhirter,  Jas.,  k. 

McGinn,  R.  F. 

McCall,  J.  A.,  w. 

Montgomery,  J.  H.,  P.  Lt,  w. 

McGinniP.    S.    A.,    w. 

Norment,  Is'aac,  w. 

Norment,  Jacob. 

Neal.  G.  A.,  k. 


34^ 


HISTORY    OF 


Newell,  A.  H. 
Orr.  J.  F. 
OiT.  N.   C.   N. 
Oman.  J.  B. 
Powell,  Dan.  k. 
Pettus.  H.   M. 
Pettus.  J.  W. 
Pettus  Stephens. 
Paysour,  C,  w. 
Paysour,  Peter. 
Prim.  T.  A.,  k. 
Query,  R.  L>. 
Query,  S.  F. 
Ruddock,  B.  W.,  w. 
Ruddock,   B.   M. 
Roberts,  Peyton,  w, 
Rabon,  M.  B. 
Ross,  R.  A. 
Ratchford,  E.  C. 
Stowe.  J.   M.,   w. 
Stowe,   J.    C,   k. 
Simpson,  R.  F. 
Simpson,  J.  W. 
Smith.  J.  S.,  k. 
Taylor,  R.  C.  C. 
Taylor,  H.   S. 
Taylor,  J.  Q.,  k. 
Thomiason,  J.  C. 
Wingate,  Angus,  k. 
Wingate,  M. 
Wingate,  C.  C. 
Wallace  W.  A.,  w. 
Williams,  S.  H. 
Wright,  Taylor,  w. 
Withprp,  B.  A.,  w. 
West.  J.  T.. 
Wilson,  W.  M. 
Steele.  J.,  k. 
Blgham,  J.  H.,  w. 
Hunter,  A.  J. 

Summary. 
Killed,  29;    wounded.    43;    Com- 
panv    A,    nth    W.     C.     Regt., 
total  in  Co..  154. 

Company  E,  Eleventh  Regiment 
N.  C.  Regiment. 

Ofp.cers. 

Nichols,  J.  S.  A.,  captain,  d. 
Kerr.  Wm.  J.,  captain. 
Clanton.  J.  B..  lieut. 
Turner.  W.  S..  lieut. 
Means.  W.  N.  S.,  lieut  k. 
Roszzell,  W.   F.,   lieut. 
Alexander,  Jas.  F.,  lieut. 

ti on-Commissioned  Officers. 

McDonald,  D.  W.,  w. 
Means,  J.  S.,  d. 
Goodman.  J.  F.,  k. 


McDonald,  J.  H. 
Wilson,  R.  S.,  d. 
Huntei',  A.  J.,  sergt. 

Privates. 

Abernathy,  E.  R. 

Alexander.  Peter. 

Auten,  S.  W. 

Ashley,  M. 

Adams,  H.  A. 

Baker,  Aaron, 

Baker,  Wm.  M. 

Ballard,  Benj. 

Bradshaw,  J.  T. 

Beal,  Charles,  c. 

Beal,  John,c. 

Bird,  W.  L.,  w.  and  pr. 

Bass  Jas.  A.,  w. 

Bass,  Buston,  c. 

Beek.  Wm.  A. 

Baker,  Joel  M. 

'Bradly,   J.    L.,   c. 

Beatty.  J.  W.,  c. 

Bunier,  J.,  w. 

Christy,  J.  H.,  k. 

Clark,   J.    A.,   kT 

Cathey.  W.,  w.  and  pr. 

Oarmlck,  J. 
Campbell,  J.  W.,  c. 

Culberson,  J.  W.,  c. 

Clemmons,  R.  R. 
, — ^Denton,  John. 

Dixon,  W.  W.,  k. 

Edwards,  Sheperd. 

Edwards,  Marshal,  c. 

Eller.  A. 

EUer,  S.  W. 

Finger,  John.,  w. 

Grler,  T.  H. 

Garrison,  Alex.,c. 

Hartline,  Andrew. 

Hartline,    Adam. 

Harris.   C.   C. 

Holdsllaw    R. 

Hinton,  A.  J. 

HollingsiA'orth,  J.  B. 

Hartgrue,  W.  W.,  w. 

Hartgrue,  R.  D.  S.,  w.  and  C 

Hill.   J.   W.,   w. 

Helms,  E.  T.,  k. 

Hartline,  P.,  w. 

Hartline.  D.  L..,  w. 

Hartline,  G.  H.,  d. 

Jamerson,  J.  W.,  c. 

Jameson,  T.  J.,  w. 

Jameson,  J.  W.,   c. 

Johnston.  J.  H.,  c. 

Kyles,  Fielding,  c. 

Kvles,  Wm. 

King.  G. 

Kestler.  P.  H. 

Kyle,  John. 

Licdwell,   David. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


343 


Liineberger,  Marshall. 
Lawson,  Hudson. 
Loften,   Martin. 
L/ambert,  Wm. 
Lewis,   Linsey,   w. 
Lambert,  J.  M. 
McQuay,  S.,  d. 
McQuay,  W.  H.,  k. 
McLure,  C.  A.,  w.  ajid  c. 
McOorkle,  H.  P„  c. 
Mitcha,  John,c. 
Martin,   W.,   w. 
Murdock.  W.  D. 
Miller,  J.  P. 
McLure,  J.,  d. 
Madden.  G.  W. 
Munday,  O.  M. 
Mathison,  Jas. 
Narson,  J.  G.,  c. 
Null.  J.  T. 
Kesbitt,  J.  G.,  d. 
Neal,  G.  A.,  w.  and  c 
Ostwald,  Francis,  c. 
Puckett,  T.  J.,  w. 
Puckett,  W.  C,  w. 
Pool.  G.  a. 
Pennix,  J.  W. 
Pennlx.  J.  A. 

Reld,  J.   C.  k. 

Rives,  J.  R. 

Rhvne     Dnvid,    c. 

Ruls.  W.  R.,  w. 

Rlchley,  W.  L.,  k. 

Rozzell.  J.  T. 

Stone.  A. 

Stlnson.  J.  B. 

Sherrell,  W. 

Smth.   D.   J. 

Griffin,  G.,  d. 

Turner,  J.  W. 

Wilson,  J.  R. 

Walker,  B.,  k. 

Walker,  li.   L..,  c. 

Walker,  J.  H..  c. 

Walker,   Jas.   H. 

Win  era  te,  J.,  w.  and  c. 

Wingate.   T.,   w. 

Williamson,  E.  T.,  c. 

Tounts,  R.  C,  k. 

Tork.  G,  W.,  c. 

Company  H,  Eleventh  Regiment 
N.  C-  Troops. 

Officers. 
Grler,  W.   L.,   captain. 
Lowrie.  P.  J.,  lieut,  d. 
Boyce,  C.  B.,  d. 
Lowrie,  J.  B.,  k. 
SavlUe,  J.  M. 
Knox,  J.  M. 
Lowrie,   R.  B. 


Non-Commissioned  Officers. 

SavUle,  R.  D.,  w. 
Clark,  P.  M..  w. 
Caldwell.  J.  S.  P. 
Bell,  C.  B. 

Hotchkip.  Aug.,  c 
-     Campbell,  Thos.,  k. 
Smith,  J.  T. 

Privates. 

Abernathy,  Ellg. 
Ashby,  J.  T. 
Alexander,  J.A. 
Andrews,  E.  M. 
Ashley,  Wm.,  c. 
Bailley,  Wm. 
Brown,  A.  M. 
Belk,  Wm. 
Boyd,  J.  J. 
Boyd,  J.  A. 
Boyd,  David. 
Brown,  J.  W. 
Blair,  S.  W. 
Black.  J.  B. 
Bigart,  Jas. 
Barns,  Robt. 
Bryant,  Sidney. 
Boyce,  Hugh. 
Blankenship,  J.  N. 
Blankenship,  T.  G. 
Blankenship,  S.  P. 
Caruthers,  J.  A. 
Caruthers,  J.  B.,  d. 
Chantenberg,  C.  E.,  d. 
Coffe,  B.  M.,  w. 
Cooper,  J.  M.,  c. 
Crowel,  E.  M. 
-Campbell,  J.  C. 
Oobb,  C  A. 
Clark,  W.  A.,  d. 
Carpenter,  J.  C. 
Carpenter.  W.  B. 
Cox.  Ell. 
Clark.   P.  M. 
Drewry.  A.  G. 
Deggarhart,  J.  V.,  c. 
Deggarhart,  J.  L. 
Dallarhit,  J.  D.,  d. 
Dixon,  Hugh  M,  d. 
Eltres,  J.  H.,  d. 
Edwards,  J.  M.,  c. 
Ellis,  Dan,  c. 
Earnhardt,  Geo. 
Flte,  W.  J. 
Greer,  Z.  B.,  d. 
Greer,  E.  S. 
Harris,  R.  H. 
Hall.  R.  B. 
Harris.  F.  C,  w. 
Harris.  J.  C. 
Harris,  J.  H. 


344 


HISTORY   OF 


Hannel,  A.  R.,  k. 
Harmon,  Levi,  c. 
Hannon,  J.  N. 
Hays,  J.  B.,  c. 
Hargett,  Aleg-. 
Herron,  J.  W. 
Hill,  C.  H. 
Humphrey,  T.  L. 
Haron,  S.  L.,  c. 
Hanna,  J.  W.,  c. 
Hatchup,  A.,  c. 
Hall,  N.  C. 
Henry,  J.  B. 
Henry,  B.  G. 
Hedgepath,  Geo. 
Harris,  Morris. 
Holland,  Robt. 
Hainant,  Henry,  w. 
Hoffman,  Miles. 
Henderson,  W.  R. 
Ingle,  Peter,  w. 
Johnson,  J.  W. 
King,  J.  A. 
Keenan,   Peter. 
Key,  Albert,  w. 
Kerr,  R.  O.,  d. 
Knox,  "W.  H..  w.  and  c. 
Kilp'a trick,  W.  F. 
Lowrie,    R.    B. 
Madden,  J.  P. 
McQuaig,  James. 
Mincel,  Willis,  w. 
— ;  Morrison,   "W.  T. 
McMillan,  J.  E. 
McOuiaise,  Jas.,  c. 
Marshburn,  J.  M.,w. 
Neely,  J.  J. 
Porter,  R.  C,  w. 
Price,  J.  A.,  d. 
Peppen,  John. 
Russell,  J.  C. 
Rice,  J.  S. 
Rhine,  A.  M. 
Rachelle,  J.  B. 
Reid,  W.  M. 
Rumell,  J.  C. 
Ross,  R.  A.,  d. 
Smith,  J.  W. 
Smith,   T.   J. 
Smith,  John  L.. 
Smith,  A.  J. 
Sloop,  Alex. 
Snider,  J.  A.,  k. 
Snead,  Frank. 
Squire,  J.  A. 
Sanders,  Jacob. 
Sumney,  J.  B. 
Sumney,  George,  c. 
Scott,  R.  S. 
Turbifield,  Jas. 
Taggart.  J.  C. 
Thuner,  E.  A.,  w. 
Thuner,  J.  T.,w. 
^^'att.  C.  B. 


Wingate,  R.  J. 
Wilkerson.  W.  H. 
Wilkerson,  Jno. 
Warren,  T.  W.,  c. 
Walker,  P.  L.,  w. 
Watters,  Allen. 
Young,  J.  H.,  d. 

Total,  137;  No.  killed  4;  wiound- 
ed  14. 

Company  B,  Thirteenth  Regl= 
ment  N.  C.  Troops. 

Officers. 

Erwin,  A.  A.,  captain,  w. 
Robinson,   W.   W.,   captain,  w. 
McLrean,  J.  D.,  lieut. 
Erwin,   J.   R.,   lieut. 
Thompson,  Joe,,  lieut.,  k. 
Warren,  R.   S.,   lieut.,   k. 
Presley,  W.  A.,  lieut. 
Alexander,  W.  S.,  lieut. 
Hart,  W.  S.,  lieut.,  d. 
Smith,   E.,    lieut. 
Walker,  H.  J.,  lieut.,  w. 
Choat,  J.  M. 

2J on-Commissioned  Officers. 

Youngblood,  F.'C,  d. 
Erwin,  F.  L. 
Todd,  J.  W. 
Swann,   R.  L.,  k. 
Knox,  J.   M.,   k. 
Wingate,  Jas.  R.,  k. 
Knox,  Jas.  F.,  w. 

Privates. 

Alexander,  Oswald. 
Alexander,  H.  C.,  k. 
Alexander,  Ossil. 
Alexander,  O.  S.  P.,  k. 
Alexander,  W.  W. 
Alexander,  M.  C. 
Alchison,  J.  C,  d. 
Adiar,  Thos. 
Adiar,  Wm. 
BrouTi,  Jas.  W. 
Bailes,  G.S.,  d. 
Baker,  Green  C.,  k. 
Baker,  J.  C. 
Bartlette.W.  F.,  w. 
Berryhill,  J.  J. 
Rerryhill.  Jas.   L.,   d. 
Blackwelder,  A.,   w. 
Bowden,  S.  D.,  deserted. 
Boyd,  Jepe  A. 
Boyd,  John,  d. 
Boyd,  J.  G.  W.,  w.  and  d. 
Brimer,  Alfred,  k. 
Brown,  C.  W.,  k. 
Brown,  R.  E. 
Bryan,  T.  J. 


MECKI.ENBURG   COUNTY. 


345 


Blgham,  M.  S. 
Beeman,  G.  C. 
Barnett,   R.  S. 
Bartlett,  J.  H.,  w. 
Clark,  A.  A.,  d. 
Crawford,  Micajah. 
Carnthens,  J.  K. 
Cathey,  Henry,  w. 
Chiodte,  A.  D.,  k. 
Choate,  R.  W.,  w. 
Choate,  Wm.,  w. 
Clanton,  W.  D. 
Clark,  R.  P..  d. 
Crowell,  S.  W.,  c. 
Damall,  J.  J. 
Davis,  J.  C. 
Edwards,  M.  A.,  w. 
Erwin,  A.   R. 
Erwin,  J.  C,  d. 
Erwin,  J.  M.,  w. 
Ellis,  Wm. 
Frazier,  Richard. 
Frazier,  W.  F. 
Frazier,  Isaiac  A. 
Frazier,   J.  T. 
Frenekin,  J.  B..  d. 
Freeman.  W.  H.,  w. 
Gallant,  J.  A.,  w. 
Glover,  T.  M.,  d. 
Grier,  E.  C. 
Grier,  S.  M.,  k. 
Grier,  Thos.   M. 
Groves,  J.  R.,  c. 
G-arner,  Wm. 
Hail,   W.   H. 

Heitman,   O.  B. 

Hawkins,  J.  P. 

Hall.  W.  H.i  w. 

Hawkins,  F.  A.,  w. 

Hotchkip.  S.  A. 

Hill,  W.  H. 

Jamison,  E.  A. 

Johnston,  H.  P. 

Kerr,  John  B.,  w. 

Kimball.  J.  L.,  k. 

Kirkr>atrirk,  J.  P.,  w. 

Knox,  J.  D. 

Knox,  J.  N..  k. 

Knox,  T.  N. 

Kerr,  J  .T. 

Lee,  D.  P. 

Liberman,  C  S.,  k. 
-    Marks,  S.  H.,  w. 
-^Marks,  T.  H. 

McGinn,  T.  H.,  w.  and  c. 

McGinn,  N.  C,  w  and  c. 

McGinn,  W.  A.,  w. 

McGinn,  J.  N. 

Mc^Lean.  J.  L,. 

McRnmb,   S.  W. 

McRnmb.  S.  J.  S.,  k. 

Mulwee,  J.  W. 

Morrison.  J.  E..  d. 

Moscr   H.  S.,  k. 


Maness,  J.  A. 
McConnell,  Jas.  H. 

Neagle,  Jas.  H.,  w.  and  c. 
Nicholson,  J.  R. 
Nevins,  J.  G.,  w. 
Orr,  G.  B.,  k. 
Okley,  C,  w. 
Parks,  D.  K. 
Parks,  G.  L.,  d. 
Porter,  S.  A. 
Pi*ather,  E.  L.,  k. 
Powell,  A.  T. 
PrapT.  W.  J. 
Parker,  S.  S.,  d. 

Reed,   J.   W. 

Sterling,  J.  W. 

Sheffield,  J.  M. 

Sloan,  G.  W.,  w. 

Smith.  D.  H. 

Smith,  P:d. 

Smith.  J.  W. 

Sturgan,  C.  S  ,  w 

Spencer,    Clark. 

Stowe,   R.   A. 

Torrence,  W.  B. 

Taylor,   W.   J.,   w. 

Thomburgr,  F.  B.,  k. 

Thomburg,  G.  J. 

Thomburs:,    H.   M. 

Thomburg,  S.  L.,  d. 

Ticcr.  R.  C.  S.,  k. 

Trad  ew  ice.  N.  P. 

Thompson,  W.  J. 

Todd,  J.   A.   W.,  d. 

Taylor,  A.  A. 

Walker,  L.  J.,  w. 

White.   Wm. 

Wilson,   J.   E.,   k. 

Wingate,  N.  J.,  w. 

Wnlfer,   H.  P..   w. 

Wryfield,  J.  R.,  w.  and  d. 

Wiley.  .T.  C. 

Watt.  W.  T. 

Weaver.   G.   H. 

Total,    1,52;    killed,    20;    wound- 
ed, 32. 

Company  K,  Thirtieth  Regiment 

N.  C.  Troops. 
Officers. 

J,  T.  Kell,  captain,  w. 

B.  P.  Morrow,  captain. 

J.   G.  Witherspoon,   captain,  k. 

W.  E.  Ardrey,  captain,  w. 
—  C.  E.   Bell,   lieut. 

N.   D.   Orr,   lieut. 

J.  T.  Downs,  lieut,  w. 

Non-Commissioned  Officers. 
J.  T.  Lee,  sergt.,  k. 
A.  L.  DeArmond,  w. 
A.  B.  Hood,  sergt.,  k. 


346 


HISTORY    OF 


J.  W.   McKinney,   corporal. 
J.   P.    Bales,    corporal. 
H.  T.  Cotlharp,  corporal. 
A.  J.  Dunn,  corporal,  k. 

Privates. 

Adkins,  W.  H.,  w. 

Adams,  Wm. 

Alexander,  S.  D.,  w. 

Alexander,  T.  P. 

Alexander,  J.  L. 

Alexander,  J.  M.,  k. 

Allen,   J.   W.,  d. 

Anderson,   Wm.,   d. 

Baker,   J.,   k, 

Bailey,  E.  D. 

Bailey,   J.  A. 

Bailey,  Wm. 

Bales,  E.  M.,  w. 

Bales,  J.  P. 

Barnett,  R.  C,  k. 

Barefoot,   N.  G.,  w. 

Bentley,  M.  W.  H. 
— 3ell,   N.  J. 

Black,  J.  N..  k. 

Black,  J.  S.,  d. 

Black,  J.   H.,  k. 

Black,   T.  A.,   d. 

Bradston,  V.  M. 

Brewer,  J.  H. 

Bowman,  R. 

Boyce,  S.  T. 

Brinkley,  H 

Bristow.    J.    C. 

Church,   Eli. 

Church,    Martin. 

Coffey,  A.  S. 

Crowell,   Isreal. 

Culp,  A.  A.,  w. 

Davis,    G.    W.,    k. 

Downs,   W.   H. 

Dixon.  S.  L...  w. 

Duckworth,   G.  P. 

Dunn,  Geo.,  c. 

Dunn,   A.    S. 

Dunn,    S.   W.   T.,   d. 

Es^zell,  M.  F.,  d. 

Gamble,  Jas.,  d. 

George,    E.    P. 

Gtorge,  Prepley,  d. 

Glover,   B    C,  w. 

Giiffin,  J.  J.,   w.  and  d. 

Grifith,  A.  E.,  k. 

Graham,  J.  W. 

Hall.  J.  F. 

Hall,   A.   a. 

Hall,  R.  B. 

Harts,   J.   H.,  d. 

Harts,  W.  S.,  k. 

Henderson.  W.  M.,  d. 

Henderson,  W.  T.,  d. 

Hood,  W.  JL.,  w. 

Howie,  J.  H. 

Howie,  Wm. 


Holmes,  B.,  d. 

Jennings,  G.  W.,  w. 

Johnston,  D.  E. 

Johnston,  S.  A. 

Johnston,  J.  H. 

Johnston,    G.    W. 

Kirkpatrick,    H.   Y.,   d. 

Lee,   S.   B.,   d. 

T.e«,  J.  A.,   d. 

T^ewis,   W.   H. 

Massingale,   R.  H. 

McLean,  Thos.,  w. 

McCurry,  J.  A. 

McKinney,  R.  M. 

McMallen,  J.  H.,  k. 

McQuaig,  J. 

Miller,   D.   M.,  w. 

McRea,  .Tames,  k. 

Milton,  J.  G 

Morris,  W,  T.,  d. 

Morris,  J.  T.,  d. 

M"ers.  James. 

Nichols,   B.   G. 
^Nelson,  J.  H. 

Orr,  T.  J. 

Patterson,  M.  S. 

Pierce,  Orren  L. 

Pierce,   J.   M. 

Pierce,  J.  W. 

Pierce,  J.  R.,  d. 

Rayner,    L,.,    k. 

Ray,  .T.  M.,  k 

Richardson,  W.  W. 

Robinson,   W.   H.,   m. 

Rotinson,  J.  R.,  k. 

Ross.   \Y.  J. 

Ross,  J.  N..  k. 

Russell,  W.  D. 

Saville,  J.  C. 

Sample,  Wm. 

Shelby,  D.  H. 

Simmons,  — 

Smith,  W,  S. 

Smith,  S.  B.,  d. 

Smith,  J.  D. 

Smith,   J.   S.,  w. 
-^Shaw,   Alex. 

Simpson,    M.    S. 

Simpson,  J. 

Squires,   J.   W. 

Squires,  J.  P.,  k. 

Stanford,  M.  T. 

Standi,  A.  G. 

Steel,  A.  F.,  k. 

Stephenson,  J.  R.,  k. 

Tart,  Henry. 

Tedder,  Sid.,  k. 

Thoninsson,  J.  L.,  k. 

Thomas,  W.   B. 

Thompson,  L. 

Thompson,  Lenis. 

Thompson,  Lee,  d. 

Thompson,  Jas.,  d. 

Trower.  T.  J. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY 


r 


347 


Walston,  S.  L...  d. 
Webb,   Wm.,   d. 
West,  Wm. 
Weeks,  R.  B.,  k. 
Witherspoon,  M.  T.,  k. 
Wolf,   J.  N. 
Wolf,  R.  B. 
Wolf,   G,   D.,   d. 
Williams,  W.  E. 
Teargan.  W. 
Young,  S.  T. 
Youth,  J.  A. 

Total  No.  150:  killed  25;  wound- 
ed 16;  died  23. 

Company  G,  Thirty=Fourth  Reg- 
iment N.  C.  Troops. 
Officers. 

W.   R.   Myers,   captain. 

G.  M.  Norment,  captain,  w. 

J.  M.  Lawing,  lieut. 

A.   A.   Cathey,    lieut. 

A.  H.  Creswell,  lieut. 

R.  S.  Reed,  lieut.,  k. 

Jas.  C.  Todd,  captain,  w. 

J.  N.  Abernethy,  k. 

H on-Commissioned  Officers. 

Lucas,  H.  C,  sergt. 

Joe  B.   McGhee,  srrgt. 

J.  L.  Todd,  ordinance  sergt. 

J.  W.  Davenport,  corporal.,  k. 

Geo.   L.   Campbell,    corporal,   k. 

Jas.  A.  Todd,  corporal,  k. 

T.  A.   Johnston,   w. 

Privates. 

Alcorn,  A.   S.,  w. 

Alexander,  J.  O.  D.,  k. 

Abernethy,  C.  W.,  w. 

Abernethy,   J.    N..   k. 

Anderson,  C.  J.,  k. 

Asbury,  J.   R.,  w. 
—  Bain,   J.   J.,   d. 

Beatty,  A.  AV.,  w. 

Beatty,  Samuel,  d. 

Beatty,  John,  w. 

Bennett,  Thos.,  w. 

Berryhill,  J.  U.,  w. 

Bailliff,    Pred.    k. 

Brothertnn,  John,  w. 

Brotherton,  Wm. 

Burgwyn,   Fred. 

Bolton,  J.  C. 

Cathey,  J.  L.,  w. 

Cathey,  W.  H.,  d. 

Clark,  John,  k. 

Cathey,  Wm.  A. 

Clark,  Almirive,  k. 

Cox,  W.  C.  L.,  w. 

Carpenter,  Jas.,  k. 


Downs,    Frank 
Duan,  T.  J.,   w. 
Duglass,   S.  A. 
Elliott,  H.  W.,  k. 
Elters,  P.  P.,  d. 
Erving,  John. 
Falres,  G.  N.,  d. 
Frazier,  I.  A. 
Garren,   Andrew. 
Gregg.  D.  H.,  d. 
Greenhill,  Lawson,  k. 
Hayes,  S.  T...  k. 
Hovis,   Moses,  w. 
Hipp,  Andrew,  d. 
Hipp,  Pinkney,  d. 
Hipp,   John,   d. 
Hipp,   Wm. 
Hipp,  J.  M. 
Hoover,  A.  B.,  w. 
Hutchison,  S.  B. 
Johnston,  D.   H.,   d. 
Johnston.  F.  E.,  k. 
Jarre tt,  Pamu'el,  k 
King,  Thos.,  w. 
Lawing,  J.  S.,  w. 
King,  Ezeki-1. 

Lawing,  J.  M.,  d. 
Lynch,    Robt. 
McGee,  T.  J. 
Mills,  W.  T. 

McOhee,  J.  T.,  d. 

McCord,  W.  C;  w. 

Means,  G.  W.,  d. 

Means,  J.   K.  P.,  k. 

McCall,  Jas.,  w. 

McCall.  Alex.,   c. 

McGahey,  T.  C. 

Nichclson,  John. 

Odell,  J.  C,  d. 

Odell,  G.  W.,  d. 

Puckett,  J.  H.,  d. 

Parks,  George,  w. 

Plckerell,   J.   H.,   w. 

Phillips,  J.  J.,  k. 

Proctor,  J.  A.,  m^. 

Rodden,  J.  J.,  w. 

Reid,  Robt.  S.,  w.  and  d. 

Rcsick,    G.   W. 

Scott,  W.   A.,  k. 

Shelby.  J.  L.,  k. 

Stephens,  A.  B.,  d. 

Stephens,  R.  T.,  w.  and  d. 

Sanford,  J.   M.,  k. 

Sanfcrd,  Jas.  O. 

Terres,  James,  w. 

Todd,  G.  F.,  k. 

Todd,  G.  N.,  k. 

Todd,  C.  B.,  w. 

Todd.    O.    C.    w. 

Todd,  J.  L.,  k. 

Todd,  J.  W.  S. 

Todd,  D.  S. 

Todd.  L.  N. 

Watters,  J.  G.,  c. 


348 


HISTORY   OF 


Winston.  C.  W- 

Total.    100;    killed,    26;    wound- 
ed, 32. 

Company  H,  Thirty-Fifth  Regi- 
ment N.  C.  Troops. 

Maxwell,  D.  G.,  captain. 
Dixon,  H.   M.,  captain. 
Davis,  J.  M.,  captain. 
Alexander,  Thos.  M..  captain,  d. 
Alexander,  J.  O.,  lieut. 
Alexander,  .1.  K.,  w. 
Alexander,   Leander. 
Alexander,  C.  F. 
Alexander,  A.  P.,  k. 
Alexander.  S.  W. 
Alexander,   G.   W. 
Auten,  J.  W.,  d. 
Barckley,  A.  C. 
Carckley.   H.   S. 
Brown.  J.  F. 
Brown,  J.   F.,  c. 
T'.rown.    S.    FT.,   w. 
Benfield,   H.   S. 
Benfield,  J.   R. 
Blount.  J.  M. 
Blakely.   W.   J.,   w. 
Blakely,  A.  C,  w. 
Burywvn.  W.   H.  S.,  lieut. 
Ben f. eld,   B.   K.,  c. 
Baker,    J.    R.,    lieut. 
Biggers,    W.    A. 
Beaver,  .J.   M. 
Chepire,  C.  M.,  d. 
Cook.  R.  W.,  d. 
Cook.  .T.  P..  k. 
Caldwell.  G.   M.,  sergt.,  w. 
Caldwell.  H.  W..  k. 
Caldwt-ll.   J.    M..   d. 
Caldwell,    R.    N. 
Caldwell.  D.  G..  d. 
Caldwell,  D.  P..  d. 
Caldwell.   D.   A.,   lieut 
—Campbell,   W.    H.,   k. 
Cochrane.  R.   R. 
Cochrane,  N.  R.J.,  c. 
Cochrane,  I..  J.,  d. 
Campbell,  C.  M.,  c. 
Cochrane,  J.  L.,  sergt. 
Cochrane.  W.  C,  sergt.,  k. 
^Deaton.    L.    L.,   k. 
Dulin,  D.  H.,  c. 
Duiin.  John,  sergt.,  k. 
Dulin.    R.    H.,    d. 
Dulin,   J.   C,   d. 
Dulin,  T.  L. 
Dulin,    Mattliias.    d. 
Dulin.   VV.  W.,  k. 
Davis.  W.  H. 
Dennis,  J.  T. 
Karnhardt.  C.  D.,  d. 
Earnhardt,   S.   O. 
Farris,    M.    C.   w. 


Fesperman,  W.  M.,  d. 
, Foard,  J.  C,  k. 
Foard.  C.  A. 
Foard,  )ienry. 
Flow.  T.  J. 
Garrison,  R.  W.,  w. 
Garrison,  J.   W.,   w. 
Gibson,  J.  M.,  k. 
Grier,  J.   C,   w. 
Hodges.  P.  B. 
Hodgt^s,  C.   J. 
Hodges.    W.    G. 
Howie,  S    E..  w. 
Hunter,  G.  S.,  w. 
Hunter,  Hugh 
Hunter,  A.  C.,  w. 
Hunter,  J.    M 
Hnnter,  J.  M.  C,  w. 
Hunter,  Hester,  k. 
Hunter,  J.  M.  C. 
Hunter,  R.  C,  d. 
Hunter,  S.  C,  lieut.,  w. 
Hunter.  R.  H. 
Hutchison.  .J.   R.,  corporal. 
Hall.  T.  M. 
Hall,  Amriz. 
Hr.oks,    Dave. 
Hood.  J.   M. 
Hood.  W.  S.,  k. 
Hood.  J.  R. 
Hucks,    D.   W. 
Hucks,  John. 
Harris,  G.  W.,  k. 
Harris.  F.  R..  k. 
Herron,  Calvin. 
Herron,  Gr3^en,  w. 
Herron,  John. 
Houston,  G.  W.,  d. 
Irwin,  G.  C.  d. 
Johnston,  J.  J. 
Jordan.  Mc.  H. 
Kirk,  Wm..  k. 
Kirk.  J.  C,  w. 
Keenan,  .John.  w. 
Kilough,   E    d. 
Kerns.  T.  M.  A.,  d. 
McCombs.  Jas. 
'Mason,   J.   J.,   w. 
Mason.  R.  C,  d. 
McCall.  C.  N. 
McCall,  D.  H. 
McCall.  R.  W..  d. 
McCall.  Jcsinh   F.,  k. 
McGinnls.  J.  J. 
McGinnis.  T.  M. 
McGinniP,   J.   P. 
McLpan,  H.  W.,  d. 
McLure.  James. 
McLaughlin,    W.   J.,  w. 
McLaughlin.  J.  J.,  w. 
McKay,  Robt.  W.,  w. 
Miller.  H.  M.  W.,  d. 
Miller,   J.   M..  k. 
Miller,  S.  J.,  d. 


\ 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY 


349 


Montgomery,  Leander. 
Montgomery.  J.  P.  C,  d. 
Monis,    VV.   G.,   seigt..  d. 
Morris.  D.  W. 
McCorkle,  T.  J.,  d. 
Maxwell,  W.  M. 
MonJson.  S.  N. 
Morrison.   D.   M. 
Morrison,  Marshall. 
McC-:won,  J.  M. 
Moiris,  J.  C.  k. 
Mcronnell.  T.  M. 
Neal,  W.   B. 
Noles.  John.  k. 
Newell,  D.  S, 
Nelson,  R.  A. 
Nelson.  T.  J. 
Osborne.  Harvey,  d. 
Orr,   Franklin,  d. 
Petre.  Wm. 
Pu.  kPtt.  S    J. 
Puckett.  J.  W.,  k. 
Puckett.  F.  M. 
Pharr,  T    F. 
Query,    Wm.   W.,   d. 
Query,  Leander,  sergt.,  w. 
Query.  F.  E. 
Query,   F.   N. 
Rodgers.  J.  R.,  k- 
Rogers.  T.  P. 
Rodgers,  J.  ■^. 
Roday,   T.  A.,  d. 
Rankin,  C.  ri..  k. 

Rankin,  W.  W.,  w. 

Russ.   W.   A. 

Roberts.  S.  L. 

Roberts,  W.  A.,  w. 

Roberts.  J.  L.,  k. 

Ramsey.  J.  F. 

Rice.  J.  W.,  w. 

Rea,  James,  w. 

Stuart.  A.   H. 

Shaffer,  J.   S.,  w. 

Shaffer.   W.   H..   w. 

Solomon.  Wm.  R. 

Solomon,  D.  A.,  d. 

Stinson,  Dnve,  d. 

Thompson,  J.  W. 

Taylor,  J.   M-,  d. 

Taylor,  W.  J. 

Taylor,  W.  H. 

Tarlton,  James  D.,  tt. 

Wilson.  M.  A.,  w. 

Wilson,  R.  L.,  d. 

Wilson,  T.  J.,  w. 

White,  K.  F.  .     ^     - 

Whitf-    Jfimes.  A.,  lleut.,  i. 

Woodall.  Thos..  w. 

Wallace,  A.  W.,  k. 

Wilson.   M.   N..  w. 

Tandle.  M.  N. 

Total  181-   24  killed;   35  wound- 
ed; 5  captured;  33  died. 


Company    C,    Thirty-Seventh 
Regiment  N.  C.  Troops. 

Officers. 
J.  M.  Potts,  captain. 
O.  N.  Brown,  captain,  k. 
Jj.   A.   Potts,   captain,   w. 
J.    D.   Brown,   captain. 
T.  A.  Wilson,  lieut.,  d. 
T.   J.   Kerns,   lieut. 
J.  S.  Johnston,  lieut. 
J.  L.  Jetton,  lieut. 
G.  H.  Beattie,  lieut.,  k. 
J.  W.  Pettus.  lieut.,  w. 

A.  P.  Torrance,  lieut.,  w. 

B.  A.   Johnston,   lieut.,   k. 
W.  W.  Doherty,  lieut.,  k. 
J.   R.   Gillespie,  lieuv. 

J.  B.  Alexander,  surgeon. 
G.  M.  Wilson,  sergt.  k. 
J.  A.  Gibbs,  sergt.,  k. 
D.  H.  Fidler,  corporal,  d. 
J.  A.  Bell,  corporal,  d. 

Privates. 
Armstrong,  M.,  w. 
Alexander,  J.  H. 
Alexander,  D.  R.,  k. 
Alexander,  T.  L. 
Alexander,  T.  R.,  w. 
Alexander,    W.    D. 
Alexander,  W.,  d. 
Armor,  T.  S.,  w. 
Alcorn,  T.  P.,  d. 
^Bell,  J.  D.,  d. 
Baritt,  W.  R..  d. 
Barnett.  J.  D. 
Bamett.   J.  W. 
Beard,  Joseph,  d. 
Beard,  J.  C.  w. 
Beard,  J.  M.,  k. 
Beard,   J.   F.   M. 
Black,  A    J.  L.,  k. 
Black,  J.  C 
Black,  W.  A.,  d. 
Black.  P..  d. 
Blakely.  J.  B.,  d. 
Blnkeiy,  W.  F.  M.,  d. 
Blythe,  J.  W. 
Boyier,  J.  H. 
Brady,  R.  A.,  d. 
Brown,  B.  F. 
Brown,  H.  W.,  k. 
Brown,  J.,  d. 
Brltt.  John. 
Burleyson,  Benj.,  w. 
Carrigaii.    W.    F. 
Cathey.   J.  W. 
Caldwell.  W.  W.,  c. 
Carppnter.  J.,  c. 
Carpenter,  J    C.,  W. 
Cochrane,  J.  C.  vr. 


350 


HISTORY  OF 


Cox,  Thomas,   (L 
Chrestainbury,   S.   D.,   w. 
DelUnger,  W. 
Derr,  A  J.,  lost  a  leg. 
X)eaton,  J,  Z. 
Fesperman,  J,  C,  d. 
Gardner,  H.  T.,  d. 
Gibbs,  Jack,  d. 
Gibson,  J.  J.,  d. 
Gibpon,  T.  A.,  w. 
Goodrum,  Zeb,  d. 
Goodmrc.  J.  W.,  c 
Gardener,  D.,  k. 
Gardener.  S.  S. 
Grier,  J.  S.,  k. 
Harrison,  W.  H. 
Hastings,  W.  C. 
Henderson,  "W.  P.,  k. 
Hendrix,  J.  M.,  w. 

Hendrix,  W.  P.,  d 

Holbrooks,  R.   S. 

Hucks,  S.  L.,  w 

Hunter,  H.  C,  c.  and  d. 

Hunter,  J.  F.,  k, 

Hagons,  H.  M.,  k. 

Hamilton.  J.  R.,  k. 

Houston,  H.  Li.,  d. 

Houston,  J.  M. 

Howie,  A.  J.,  w. 

Jenkins,  A.  B. 

Johnston,  M.  F.,  d. 

Jamison,  J.  R. 

Kelley,  A.  A.,  w. 

Kerns,  J.  A,,  d. 

Kerns,  T.  J. 

Knox,  S.  W.,  w. 

Lentz,  R.  R. 

Little   S.   S. 

Luckey,  T.  S.,  d. 

X.each,  L..,  d. 

McAllister,   C,   w. 

McAulev.   H.  E.,  d. 

McAuley,  A.  E. 

McCoy,  Albert. 

McCoy,  J.  F.,  k. 

McOoy,  C.  W. 

McFadden,  John,  c. 

Miller,  R.  C,  c. 

Monteith,  R.  A.,  k. 

Moore,  R.  D.,  d. 

McAuley,  D.   N.,   d. 

Morrison,  "W.  S. 

Nantz.  C.  R.,  d. 

Nantz,  D.  J.,  w. 

Page,  J.  F.,  d. 

Puckett,  E.  M.,  w. 

Reid,  J.  L,..  d 

Rhyne.  J.  J.,  d. 

Roasrers,  John,  d. 

Sample,  J.  W.,  k. 

Samnle   W,  L.,  k. 

eioan,  T.  A. 
Sloan,  T.  C. 

Stearns,  A.  L..,  d. 


Stearns,  W.  R, 
Stuart,  S.  J.,  w. 
Sellers,  Eli. 
Solomon,  D.  A.,  k. 
Stroup,  C. 
Stroup,  M.,  k. 
Sample,  E.  A. 
Shaver.  M.,  k. 
_Shaw,  A. 
Todd,  J.  A.,  k. 
Taylor,  W.  A.,  d. 
Tiffins,  M.  B. 
Torrance,  J.  A. 
Torrance,  H.  L.  W.,  k. 
Torrance,  W.  W.,  w. 
Tummice,  K  G. 
'Weddington,    J.    Y. 
Wallace,  C.  S.,  d. 
Warsham,  Alex.,  k. 
Warsham,  F.  M.,  w. 
Warsham,  R.  R.,  w. 
Warsham,  T.  L..,  k. 
Warsham,  W.,  d. 
White,  J.  H. 
Wiley,  J.,  k. 
Williams,  C.  R.,  d. 
Williams,  F.  C,  d. 
Wilson,   T.   C,   d. 
Wagstaff,  J.  R. 
Walker,  J.  C. 

Total  149:     died    37;     wounded 
26;  killed  27. 

Company    I.    Thirty-Seventh 
Regiment  N.  C.  Troops. 

Officers. 

Harrison,  J.  K.,  captain. 

McCoy,  M.  A. 

Hart,  M.  N.,  captain. 

Elms,  J.  I.,  captain. 

Stitt,  Wm.  M.,  w. 

Elms,  W.  D.,  captain,  w. 

Oats,     R.     M.,     quartermaster 

captain. 
Sammond,  T.  K. 
Rupel,  E.  H. 
Price   J.  G. 
Crowell,  E.  M. 
McCoy,  J.  G. 
Yandle,  A.  F.,  w. 
Wilson,   J. 
Elms,  J.  P.,  c. 
Icenhour,  H.  F.,  k. 
Robin&on,  D.  C,  sergt,  w. 
Reed,  J.  C,  sergt. 
Alexander,  J.  O.,  corp.  &  sergt. 
Rigler,  D.  M.,  lleut,  w. 
Adams,  Lourie,  w. 

Privates. 

Adaholt,  M.  L.,  w. 


meckIvEnburg  county. 


351 


Alexander,  A.  M.,  c. 
Alexander,  J.   A. 
Allen,  J.  H. 
Austin,  J.  W.,  k. 
Ballard,  W.  H.,  d. 
Barnhlll,  J.  W. 
Bean,  J.  T. 
Black,  J.  P.,  k. 
Black,  S.  J. 
Blackard,   Jas.,   k. 
Blankenship,  T.  E.,  k. 
Blythe,  S.  W. 
Bridges,   W.   A.,  w.  and   d. 
Brown,  T.   G. 
Brown  J.  K.  P.,  c. 
Bruce,  Jas.,  d.  : 

Burns,  S.  A. 
Brines,  J.   W. 
Crowell,  E.  M. 
Carpenter,  Levi,  c. 
Carpenter,  Marcus,  c 
Cathey  B.   G.,  w,  and  d. 
CI  irk,  J.  F.,  c 
Clark,  J.  W.,  k, 
Clark,  Jas.,  k. 
Clontz,  Ab.,  k. 
Crocker,  W.  J.,  w. 
Cross,  W.   D. 
Devine,  W.  G. 
Dulin,  T.  S.,  w. 
Edwards,  J.  A. 
Flanigan,  B.  F. 
Flowe   J.  C,  w. 
F-aeman,  J.  J.,  d. 
Freeman,  Mc.  C,  d. 
Fronebarger,  John,  k. 
Gates,   M.   W. 
Gordon,  J.  P.,  w. 
Gordon,  J.  R.,  c. 
Gurley,  W.  D.,  k. 
Hargett,  A.  J. 
Hall,  Jas. 
Hayes    Elijah,  c. 
Headly,  Wm.  L...  d. 
Henderson,  J.  W.,  w. 
Henry,    Berry. 
Henry,  Terrell. 
Hipp,  J.  F.,  w. 
Hipp,   L.  A.,   w. 
Hood,  H.  C,  d. 
Hovis,  A.  J.,  k. 
Hunsucker,  J.  W,,  w. 
Hlggenson,  John,  w. 
Hunter.  C.  L.,  k. 
Johnston,  A.  N. 
King,   G.   W. 
Kinpr,  Wm.,  w. 
Harris,    N.   J. 
Haney,  E.  H. 
Hunsucker,  Wm.,  w. 
Kissiah,  G.  W.,  w. 
Kisslah,  T.  A, 
KIsslah,  W.  M.,  w. 
Klstler,  G.  H.,  w 


Kaiser,  D.   W.,  w. 
Kaiser,   T.   P.,   c. 
Kaiser,  Solomon,  c 
Kirkley,  Thos.,  d. 
Lawring,    David. 
Lawring,  P.  W.,  k. 
Looker,   J.   C. 
Lourie,  S.  J. 
McGhee,  Isaac. 
McCoy,  W.  L.,  k. 
Manning,  Jas. 
Manning,  J.  W.,  w. 
Montgomery,  A,  F. 
Moody,   M.   D.   L. 
Mosters,  F.  A.,  d. 
Maxwell,  D.  S.,  w. 
M"Call,  J.  C. 
McCord,  D.  L. 
McGinn,  J.  M.,  w. 
Montgomery,    Jas. 
Mooney,  Caleb.,  w. 
MuUis,   Coleman,   d. 
Mason,   Robt.   G. 
Nicholson,  J.  B.,  w. 
Orr,  Joe  L.,  w. 
Orr,  J.  G.  A. 
Orr,   C.   M. 
Orr,  J.  L.  v.,  w. 
Orr,  W.   S. 
Patterson,  Ell.,  k. 
Patterson,  J.  H.,  w. 
Paysour,  Caleb.,  c. 
Phillips,   J.   A.,   k. 
Rarafield,  Frank,  c. 
Reid,  George,  d. 
Robinson,  Jas.  A.,  d. 
Robinson,  T.  C. 
Rudisill,  Jacob,  w. 
Rumage,  L.,  d. 
Rupel,  S.  H.,  d.  in  p. 
Sharp,   R.  A.,  w. 
Sharp,  T.  A. 
Shaw,  D.  C,  w. 
Shoe,  Jacob,  w.  and  c. 
Simpson,  C.  L.,  d. 
Simpson,  Ira  P.,  c. 
Smith,    Franklin. 
Spears,  A.  J. 
Spears,  J.  J.,  k. 
Stearns,  Brown,  k. 
Stearns,   Dulin, 
Stearns,  J.  M.,  w.  and  d. 
Stewart,  A.   A. 
Stewart,  P.  J.,  c. 
Stinson,  D.  W.,  d  In  p, 
Tareart,  J.   S.,  k. 
Tally,    Mike,    d. 
Taylor,   Chas. 
Taylor,  Jepe. 
Oate,  D.  W. 
Pegram,  M.   P. 
Charles,   I.  Voorhelt. 
Tally,  John,  k. 
Todd,  R.  J. 


352 


HISTORY   OF 


Turner,  S.  R, 
Turner,  Wm.,  d. 
Walker,  Robt. 
Whitley,  G.  M.  D. 
Whitley,  J.  H. 
Williamson,  G.  W.,  w. 
Woodall,  W.  C,  c 
Wolf,  E.  B.,  k. 
Young.  A.   J.,   k. 
Yandle,  A.  F.,  w. 
Total   157  men;   killed  23;   cap- 
tured, 5;  wounded  18;  died  16. 

Company  K,   Fifty-Sixth  Regi- 
ment N.  C.  Troops. 

Oflicers. 

P.  R.  Alexander,  captain,  k. 
J.  F.  Mc  Neely,  captain. 
J.  A.   Wilson,  lieut. 
J.   W.    Shepard,    lieut 
J.  W.  Spencer,  lieut. 
C.  M.  Payne,  lieut. 
J.  A.   Lowrance,   lieut. 
Alex.  Livingston,  lieut. 

Non-Commissioned  Officers. 
J.  L.  Sloan. 
J.  C.  Faucet. 
J.  T.   Hotchkiss. 
W.  B.  Osborne. 
J.  J.  McNeeley,  k. 
J.  H.  Williams. 

Privates. 

Arney,  Henry. 

Alexander,  A.  H. 

Alexander,  J.,  k. 

Alexander,  J.  Mc,  d. 

Alexander,  M.  D.,  d. 

Alexander,  R.  A. 

Alexander,  T.  C,  w. 

Allison,  James. 

Auten,  T.  J.,  w. 

Bamett,  A.  G.,  w. 

Barringer,  D.  A.,  w. 
-Bell,  J.  C. 

Benson,  R.  P.,  d 

Bingham  J.  M..  w. 

Black.  Wm.  M. 

Bradly,  J.  H. 

Brawley,  R.  W.,  w. 

Brov/n,  B.  D.,  w. 

Brown,  J.  M.,  w. 

Brown,  W.  L.,  w. 

Brown,  J.  C. 

Burkhead,  Whlte.d. 

Beard,  J.  O.,  k. 

Carrigan,  R.  A.,  d. 

Caldwell,  M.  E.,  w. 

Carrigan,    Adam. 

Cashion,  Frank,  w. 


Cashion,  Jas.,  w. 
Cashion,  I.   W.,   w. 
Cathcart,  J.  R.,  k. 
Christianberry,  Allison,  ¥ 
Christianberry,   A.   H.,   d. 
Christianberry,  Jas. 
Christianberry,  R.  F. 
Christianberry,  Wm. 
Clark,   Alex. 
Cork,  Walter,   c,  and  d. 
Craven,  W,  P. 
Cornelius,  M.  A.,  w. 
Davis,  H.  W.,  k. 
DeArmond,  J.  A. 
Deweese,   Calvin  T. 
Deweese,  G.  B.,  k. 
Edwards,  G.  W.,  k. 
Elms,  J.  I, 
Emerson,  M.  H. 
Faucet,  J.  C,  d. 
Fouts,  J.  M.,  k. 
Garner,  Henry. 
Heldt,  Enoch. 
Hill,  Jas.   R.   L. 
Hunter,  H.  S.,  d. 
Hux,  John,  d. 
Hux,  W.,  d. 
Jackson,  C.  H. 
Jackson,  W.  K.,  d. 
Johnston,  J.  H. 
Jones,  A.  J. 
Jordan,  Sansom,  d. 
Kennerly,   E.   M. 
Kennerly,  John,  c. 
Ketchie,  Wm. 
Kerns,  J.  F.,  c.  and  d. 
Ix)wrance,  R.  W.,  d. 
Lowrance,  L.  N. 
Lowrance,  S.  L.,  w. 
Moble,  Joel. 
Moble,  John. 
Martin,  J.  M.,  d. 
Martin,   John. 
McAuley,  J.  C. 
McConnell,    R.   A. 
McGahey,  Jas.  A.,  k. 
Miller,   W.    C. 
Moore,  Jas.  C. 
Morgan,  Zac,  k. 
Mowery,  Henry. 
Nance,  J.  A.,  d. 
-Nelson,  W.,  d. 
Osbom,  N.  B..  xr. 
Oliphant,  J.  R.,  k    • 
Reese,  D.  L. 
Shepard,   G.   T. 
Shields,  A.  C. 
Sloan,  A.  C,  d. 
■Sloan,   J.   Mc,   d. 
Sloan,  W.  E. 
Smith,  W.  T..  d. 
Sosaman,  J.  P.,  c.  and  w. 
Stearns,  Henry  M. 
Sloan,   D.   F.   A.,   w. 


MECKIvENBURG   COUNTY 


353 


Stokes,   J.   J. 
Stough.Rich  1. 
Strider,  John,   k 
Tepleton,  J.  E.  D. 
Templeton,  J.  M.,  \v. 
Templeton,  R.  D. 
Tye,    Wm.    A. 
Vance.  W.  H.,  d. 
Watts,    R.    A.,    d. 
Walls,  Thos.,  w.  and  c. 
Worsham,  Alfred,  w. 
Worsham,    B.    A.,    d. 
Worsham,    Richard,    d. 
Worsham,    H.   J.,   w. 
Watts,   R.   F.,   k. 
Williams,  J.  H.,  w. 
Williams,  Rufus. 
Total,  121;  killerl.  13:  wounded 
25. 

Company  K,  Forty = Second  Reg- 
iment N.  C.  Troops. 

Officers. 
S.  B.  Alexander,  captain. 
B.   F.    Wilson,   lieut. 
A.  M.  Rhyne,  lieut.,  d. 
Jos.  H.  Wilson,  lieut. 

1^ on-Commissioned  Officers. 

Thos.  Norment. 

Wm.  Hecks,  w.  and  c. 

Wm.  Price. 

Jas.  Keenan,  k. 

S.  W.  Talton,  w. 

W.  S.  Bynum,  c. 

Ed.  Day,  k. 

J.  H.  Staten,  d. 

Jas.  Scott,  w 

T.  C.  Dule. 

L.  Adams. 

Privates. 

Anderson,  W.  H.  H.,  w. 

Anderson,   G.  W.,  d. 

Benfleld,  Dan.  w. 

Gullet,  Ezekiel. 

Coots,  Jacob,  d. 

Dulin,  W.  C,  k. 

Dulin,  W.  L. 
— Foster,  J.  H.,  d. 

Flowers,   R.   B. 

Gilbert,  Harrison. 

Gilbert,  Jas. 

Grub,  Absalom,  d. 

Gaston,  J.  A. 

Griffin,   B.   F.,   d. 

Hendrix,  Grayson,  w. 

Hendrix,  L,.  J.,  c. 

Hendrix,  Panford,  o. 

Harman,  Paul,  w. 

Heifer,  P.   E. 


Helms,    Hosea,    c. 

Helms,   Enoch,   c. 

Helms,  Gilliam. 

Helms,    D.    B.,   c. 

Helms,  Albert. 

Helms,  John. 

Helms,    Josiah,    c. 

Helms,  Kennel,  c. 

Helms,   Copeland.   w. 

Helms,  J.   L. 

Helms,  Joshua. 

Helms,  Eli.  W. 

Johnston,  Mathew,  d. 

Milton,  Francis,  w. 

Milton,   Alex. 

Mitchell,  Allison. 

Makaler,  Frank. 

Minor,  H.  J.,  c. 

Norment,    Charles,    d. 

Orrell,  Sam'l. 

Paul.  J.  L.,  w. 

Phillips,  J.  B.,  (1. 

Polk,  — ,  k. 

Perry,   Noah. 

Privette,  Wesley. 

Privette,   Wm.,   k. 
—Randall,    E.   D. 
-Rindal,  L.  L..,  c. 

'Severs,  — ,  k. 

Singleton,  Henry. 

Scott,  John,  w. 

Scott,  Leander. 

Smith,  Alex. 

Staner.  P.  C. 

Shoemaker,  Lafayette,  d. 

Smith,  John. 

Stone,  John,  w. 

Sanring-,  J.   M. 

Sharpe,  Isaac. 

Triplette,  J.  H. 

Walsh.  G.  B.,  c. 

Walsh,  J.  H. 

Whitley,  John. 

Total  number  82. 

Company  F,  Forty=Ninth  Regi= 
ment  N.  C.  Troops. 

Officers. 
Jas.  T.  Davis,  captain,  k. 
Jas.  P.  Ardrey,  k. 
John  C.  Grier,  w. 
John  W.  Barnett,  lieut..  k. 
R.  H.  Grier,  lieut.,  k. 
J.   G.    Potts,   lieut. 
S.   R.   Neal,      lieut. 
Jas.  H.  Helms,  lient. 
W.  T.  Barnett,  k. 
L  .  M.  Neal,  k. 

Non-Com,missioned  Officers. 

J.  A.  Ellio't. 
.   R.   C.    Bell. 


354 


HISTORY   OF 


Wm.  L.  Mason,  w. 

J.  A.  Ezzell. 

J.  W.  Wolf. 

Robt.    N.   Alexander. 

Privates. 

Alexander,  E.  B. 
Alexander,  R.  W. 
Alexander,  J.  J.,  k. 
Alexander,  T.  B.,  d. 
Alexander,  "W.  P.,  w. 
Earnett,  W.  P. 
Allen,  A.  W. 
Ashley,  Wm. 
Bennett,  D.  G.,  w 
Brown,  J.  G. 
Brown,  W.  H. 
Coffee,  Ben. 
Grouts ors,  T.  M.,  w. 
Crane,  Job.   S. 
Crenshaw,  John,  w. 
Gulp,  John,  w. 
DeArmond,  J.  B.,  w. 
Dunn,  Jas.   R.,   w. 
Elliott,   S.  H.,  w. 
Farris,  J.  A.,  w. 
Fields,  M.  A. 
Fincher,  J.  E.,  d. 
Fincher,   O. 
Fleniken,   L.   B. 
French,  Wm. 
Garrison,  A.,  d. 
Gordon,  A.  E. 
Griffiin,  Eg-bert. 
Griffith,  I.   G. 
Griffith,  J.  W. 
Griffith,  T.  D. 
Grier,  Laurence. 
Hannon,  J.  J. 
Harkey,  D.  E. 
Harkey,  J.  J. 
Harkey,  M.  L. 
TIarkey,  Wash. 
Hartis,  J.  L. 
Hartis,  J.  S. 
Hanfield,  Jas.  W. 
Hennigen,  J.  E. 
:How'ard,  J.  M.,  w. 
Hudson,  Wilson. 
.Jamison,   Emory. 
Johnston,  Dan. 
Johnston,  J   A. 
Kenan,  D.  G. 
Kenier.  J.  R. 
Kerr,  Jas. 
Kerr,  Gc-m'l. 
Kirkpatrick,   S.  A. 
McAlister,  H.  B. 
McRaney.  Sam'l. 
Miller,  W.  T. 
Moore,    W.    W. 
Morris,  G.  C. 
Morris,  J.   W. 
Morris.   Wm. 


Neel,  W.  B. 
Neely,  W.  A, 
Newell,  W.  A. 
Osborne,  J.  H.,  w. 
Paxton,   S.   L. 
Phifer,  E.  M.,  k. 
Pierce,  John,  k. 
Pierce,  L.   M. 
Porter,  Robt.  A.,  w. 
Porter,   S.   L. 
Porter,  Zenas. 
Prather,  A.  R.,  d. 
Prather,  S.  P. 
Prevltt,  Allen. 
Raterree,  W.  L. 
Rea,  D.  J.,   w. 
Reid,  William,  k. 
Richardson,  J.  H. 
Ross,  W.  A. 
Shaw,  J.  N. 
Smith,  E.  C. 
Smith,  Wm.  B.  J. 
Spratt,  A.  P. 
Squires,  M.  D.,  w. 
Stanford,  C.  L.. 
Stephenson,  Wm.  J.,  w. 
Stitt,  Jas.   M. 
Swan,  J.  B. 
Taylor,  Ed.  S.,  w. 
Taylor,  J.  A.  R.,  w. 
Tevepaugh,  Wm. 
Tidwell,  W.  T.  A. 
Turner,  F.  M. 
Walker,  E.  M.,  w. 
Warwick,  J.  M.,  w. 
Watson,  .T.  A,  d. 
Watts,  J.  S. 
Watson,  J.  B. 
Weeks,  J.  L.,  w. 
WTiitesides,  Wm.,  w. 
Wingate,   J.   P.,   W. 
Wingate,  Wm.  C. 
Wolf,  J.  W. 

Total   116;   killed     5;     wouncled 
23;  died  5. 


Company   B,  Fifty-Third  Regi= 
ment  N.  C.  Troops. 

Officers. 

J.  H.  White,  captain,  k. 

S.  E.  Belk,  capt.,  lost  an  arm. 

J.  M.  Springs,  lieut. 

W.  M.  Matthews,  lieut. 

M.  E.  Alexander,  lieut. 

Non-Co7nmissioned  Officers. 


R.  J.  Patterson,  w. 
S.  M.  Blair. 
R.  A.  Davl3. 
A.  N.  Gray. 
W.    R.    Bailey. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY. 


355 


R.  H.  Todd.  k. 

W.   H.  Alexander,  k. 


Privates. 

Alexander,  J.  W.,  d. 
Alexander,  Benj.  P.,  d. 
Alexander,  Benj.  C. 
Anderson,   Wm.,   d. 
Atchison,   Wm.,   c.   and  w. 
Armstrong',   Lreroy,   c. 
Barnett,  R.   S. 
Bamett,  W.  A.,  k. 
Barnett,   E.   L.   S. 
Berryhill,  W.  A.,  c. 
Berryhill,  Andrews,  w. 
Berryhill,   Alex. 
Bams,  S.  S.,  d. 
Bruce,  G.  W. 
Burwell,  J.  B. 
Benton,  Sam'l.,  w. 
Baker,  G.  F..  w. 
Cochrane,  J.  M. 
Cochran,  Wm.  R. 
Cochran,  R.  C. 
Catchcoat,  J.  H.,  w. 
Capps,  John,   d. 
Caton,  Elijah,  w.  and  c. 
Caton,  Sylv.,  c.  and  d. 
Clark,   W.   H. 
Clark,    W.    C. 
eiark,  A.  W. 
Collins,  John,  k. 
-^  Campbell,  J.  P. 
Davis,  W.  A.,  d. 
Demon,  Jacob. 
Donnell,  W.  T.,  w  and  c. 
Enerenburn,  J. 
Eagle,  John,  w. 
Eagle,   W.   H. 
Epps,  W.   D.,  k. 
Eng-el,  Jonas. 
Prazier,  J.   L. 
Fincher,  Asa. 
Farrices,  Z.  W. 
Frazier,   J.    C.   R. 
Grier,  J.  G.,  w. 
Giles,  M.   O. 
Giles,  S.  H. 
Howie,   J.   M. 
Howie,  Sam'l.  M.,  w. 
Howie,  F.  M.,  w. 
Hall,  H.  L.,  w. 
Hood,  R.  K,  c. 
Harry,  W.  B.,  w. 
Hoover,    F.    M 
Katz,  Aaron. 
King,  P.  A.,  k. 
Kirkpatrick,   T.   A. 
Knox,  J.  S. 
Leon,    Louis. 
Love,  D.  L. 


Marks,  S.  S.,  c. 
Marks,  J.  G.,  w. 
Marks,  T.  E.,  k. 
Marks,  W.   S. 
McGinn,  Thos. 
McElroy,  Jas.  W.,  k. 
Mitchell,  C.  J. 
McKinney,   Wm. 
McKinney,  T.  A,,  c. 
Merritt,  Wm.  N.,  k. 
McCrary,  Jordan, 
-^lorrison,  J.  M. 
McCombs,  A.  H.,  w  and  c. 
Maxwell,  P.  P.,  w. 
McCrum,  A.  H.,  k. 
Norment,  A.  A.,  k. 
Otters,  Cooney,  c.  and  d. 
Owens,   J.   Henry,   k. 
Oates,  Jas. 
Potts,   Jas.   H. 
Patterson,  S.  L. 
Parks,  Miah,  c. 
Reid,  H.  K. 
Reid,  J.  F.,  k. 
Robinson,  Thomp. 
Russell,  H.  T„  c. 
Rodden,  N.  B.,  w. 
Rodden,  W.  R.,  k. 
Robinson,   J.   P. 
Smith,  Lemuel. 
Sweat.  J.  M. 
Sample,  H.  B.,  c. 
Sample,    David. 
Sample,  J.  W. 
'Samnle,  J.  M.,  c. 
Springs,  R.  A. 
Stone,  W.  D.,  w.  and  c. 
'Sulivan,  W.  L. 
Stewart,  W.  S.,  d. 
Taylor,  J.  W.,  w. 
Todd,  E.  S. 
Thomas,  Henry. 
Trotter,   A.   G. 
Trotter,   Thos.,   d. 
Vickers,  E.  N. 
Worthen,    Henry,    d. 
Wilkenson,   Neil,   k. 
Wolfe,  C.  H. 
Winders,  P.  S.,  c. 
Wilson,  L.  R.,  c. 
Wilson,  J.  H.,  k. 
Wilson,   S.   W^.,   w.   and  c. 
Wilson,  J.  M. 
Wilkerson,    R.    L. 
Williams,   Hugh. 
Williams,    J.    W. 
Williams,   A.   L. 
Williamson,  A.  L.,  c. 
Williamson,  J.  M.,  c 
White,  J.   T. 

Total,  110;   killed,  16;   wounded 
21;   died,   12;    captured,   20. 


356 


HISTORY    OF 


Company  E,  Fifty-Ninth  Regl- 
ment  N.  C.  Cavalry. 

Officers. 

J.  Y.  Bryce,  captain,  w. 
Robt.  Gadd,  lieut. 
B.  H.   Sanders,  lieut. 
Wm.  Bryce,  lieut. 

H on-Commissioned  Officers. 

J.  J.  Misenheimer. 
J.   B.   Davis. 
J.  F.  Davidson. 
G.  F.  Vickers,  k. 

Vickers,  k 

W.  H.  A.  Kluts. 
R.   Kluts. 
M.   L.   Furr. 
Notah  Shore. 

Privates. 

Blackwelder,  D.  C. 
Bigg-ers,  Wm. 
Bisrarers,    Houston,    d. 
Biggers,  Robt. 
Bost,  Mopes. 
Bost,  S.  C. 
Bost,   J.  K.  P. 
Beattie,  J.  O. 
Barbon,  George. 
Barber,  Josiah. 
Benson,  H.  A. 
Broadptreet,  J.  R.,  c. 
Browning,  J.  M.,  d. 
Cline,  H.  B. 
Cline,  .  D.,  c 
Carriker.   S.  C. 
Cox,  J.  D. 
Cruse,  Peter. 
Clay.  J.  L.,  c. 
Craig.  Alex.,  c. 
Davis,  W.  E. 
Doolan,  E.,  k 
Eaudy,   Paul. 
Furr,  Mat. 
Furr,  D.  C. 
Furr,  Allen. 
Furr,  Darling. 
Furr,    W.    M. 
Furr,   A.  W.,  d. 
Fisher    C.  A. 
File,  J.  F. 
Falls,  W.  A. 
Faggart,  D.  C. 
Foard.  E.  M. 
Floyd.  Wm. 
Fink,  Peter,  k. 
GrifRn,   Wesly. 
Gatlin.  G.  W. 
Grover   Austin. 
Hagler,  Jacob. 
Hagler,  Allen. 


Hagler,  Nelson. 
Hagler,  J.  A. 
Hoffman,  J.  L. 
Hoffman,  J.  M. 
Hartman,  H.  L. 
Howell,  W.   B. 
H'unsucker,  N.  J. 
Johnston,   J    M.,   c. 
Johnston,  G.  W. 
Johnston,  Jacob. 
Kiser,  G.  A. 
Kiser,  N.  D. 
Kimmons,  R.  M. 
Lay,  J.  G. 
Linker,  Jas. 
Linker,  W.  R. 
Linker,  Aaron. 
Linker,  Moses. 
Lefter.  W.  H. 
Lay,  W.  J. 
Lay,  A.  L. 
Lay,  J.  W. 
Ledford,  C.  M. 
McCoy,  J.  R. 
McDaniel,  E.  B.,  k. 
McDaniel,  E.  A.,  d. 
McEntire,  M.  L.,  c. 
Misenhemier,  J.  H, 
Moreton,  W.  R.,  d. 
Moore,  Dr.  T.  J. 
Osborne,  J.  F. 
Osborne,  Robt.,  d. 
Plyler,  F.  S. 
Pender,  J.  H. 
Perkins,    A. 
Pace,   Yioung. 
Reaves,  F.  A. 
Rice,   Moses. 
Richards,  Wm. 
Ray,  A.  D.,  c. 
Rhyne,  C.  M. 
Rinrh-rt,  W.  D.,  c. 
Rinehart,  Thos. 
Starns,  John,  d. 
Starnes,  E.  W. 
SosSaman,  D.  G. 
Sossaman,  W.  H. 
Smith,  J.  B. 
Smith,   G.   L. 
Smith,  G.  F. 
Stranter,  Wm. 
Stranter,  John. 
Stranter,  T.  H. 
Stowe,     L.  P. 
Smith,  Frank,  k. 
Smith,  L.   A. 
Thomas,  C.  W. 
Turner,  W.  D. 
Troutman,  Geo. 
Wallace,  J.  M. 
Wilson,  J.  M. 
Wilson,  Wm. 
Wallace,  J.  R. 
Williamson,  J.   M. 


MKCKLKNBURG   COUNTY. 


357 


Williamson,  J.  B.,  w. 
Total     116;     died     6;     killed     6; 
wounded  3;   captured  4. 

Company  B,  Forty-Third  Regi- 
ment N.  C.  Troops. 

Of[icers. 
Robert  P.  Waring,  Captain. 
Drury  Ringstaff,    1st   lieut. 
William  E.  Still.  2nd  lieut. 
Julius  Alexander,  2nd  lieut. 
Robert  T.  Burwell,  2nd  lieut. 

'Non-Commissioned  Officers. 

Drury  Lacy,  1st  sergt. 
Robert  B.  Corbie,  2nd  sergit. 
S.  R.  Johnstion,  3rd  sergt. 
J.  Harris  Hunter,  4th  sergt. 
R.  T.  Burwell,  5th  sergt. 
Henry  S.  Presson,  1st  corporal. 
Smiley  W.  Hunter,  2nd  corporal. 
Robt.  C.  McGinness,  3rd  corp'l. 
Hiram  Secrest,  4th  corporal,  k. 

Privates. 
Alexander,  John  M. 
Aycock,  W.  M.,  k. 
Broom,  Samron, 
Broom,  Solomon. 
Broom,  S.  A. 
Broom,   N.   W. 
Broom,  Calvin,  k. 
Broom,  Wr.scn. 
Broom,    A.    T. 
Barnes,  Bryant. 
Bl'ackwelder,  D.  M. 
Boyd,  Hugh. 
Burwell,  W.  R. 
Cochr'an,  W.  L.,  k. 
Craft.  A.  J. 
Allen,  Dees  K. 
Fincher,   Levi  J.,  w. 
Fowler,  Moses  F. 
Fowler,  Geio.W.,  k. 
Griffith,   J.   Henry,   k. 
Griffith.  J.  L. 
Grier,   Paul   B.,   k. 
Griffith,  Marley. 
Griffith,  Farrington. 
Harrington,   Ed.   P. 
Helms,  Asa. 
Helms,  Josiab,  k. 
Helms,  Noah. 
Helms,  Elbert,  k. 
Helms,  W.   M. 
Helms,  Alex.  L. 
Helms,  Noah  J. 
Howell,  W.  J.,  k. 
Hunter,  Mad,  k. 
Hargr«ave,  Robt.  W. 
Knie-ht,  W.  M. 
Singleton,  Lacy  D. 


Little,  Bryant. 
Moore,   Pleasant. 
McGwirt.    David. 
McGwirt,  H.  A. 
Mullis,    Simon. 
Mannis,  T.  M. 
Mannis,  A.  W. 
Price,  Josiah  G. 
Phillips,    John. 
Presley,  John   M. 
Presley,  Caswell. 
Parsons,  Larking. 
Paxton,  William  W. 
Robinson,  M.  M. 
Bobinson,  M.  B. 
Robinson,   S'amuel  J. 
Reams,  John  W.,  k. 
Rea,  W.  F. 
Ste'arns,  Johnston. 
Stearns,  Daniel,  k. 
Stearns,    Thos.    H. 
Stearns,  John  R.,  k. 
Stacks,   Albert. 
Steele,  jMbert,  k. 
Steele,  Thos. 
Stegall,    Mioses. 
Stegall,    Ambrose. 
Stancel,  James. 
Stout,  J.  S. 
Swift,  Geo.  W. 
Simpson,  H.  Mc. 
Sikes,  Geo.  G. 
Sherrill.  William  E. 
Thornburg,  John  L. 
Wilson,  W.  A. 
Womack,  John. 
Wilson,  J.  A. 
Wilson,  G.   J. 

Reported  kiHed  20;  wounded  1; 
died  7;  but    19    lived    to    get 
home;  50  not  accounted  for. 

Company  F,  Sixty-Third  Regi- 
ment N.  C.  Cavalry. 

Officers. 
John  R.  Erwin,  captain. 
J.  McWhite.  first  Heut. 
C.  S.  Gibson,  second  lieut. 
W.  J.  Wiley,  third  lieut. 
S.  A.  Grier.  fir«t.  sergt. 
J.  R.  Kirknatrick.  spnond  sergt. 
R.  A.  Davidson,  third  ''ergt. 
P.  W.  Lintz,  fourth  .sergt. 
J.  H.  Henderson,  first,  cnrnorlal. 
J.    M.   Beaver,   second    corporal. 
H.  C.  Bird,  third  corporal. 
C.  B.  Palmer,  fourth  corpffiral. 

Privates. 
Armstrong,  Larkin. 
Armstrong,   Mathew. 
Alexander,  H.  L. 


358 


HISTORY    OF 


Alexander,  W.  N. 

Alexander,  J.  W. 

Alexander,  J.  S. 

Abernaithy,  W.  D. 

Andrews,  G.  W. 

Asbury,  Eugene. 

Adams,  James. 

Br^wn,  J.  C. 

Blackwelder,  Jas. 

Blackwood,  Eli. 

Burroughs,  John. 

Brum,  C.  F. 

Bowden,  Lrcwis. 

Bigham,  Green. 

Cochran,  J.  C. 

Cochran,  R.  E.,  capt.  and  q.  m. 

Caldwell,  D.  A. 

Caldwell,  R.  B. 

Caldwell,  J.  N. 

Caldwell,  H.  M. 

Cahill,  John. 

Cathey,  John. 

Coleman,  T.  P. 

Davidson,  R.  A. 

Davis,  J.  T.  A. 

Downs,  J.  T. 

Eudy,  John. 

Erwin,  W.  R. 

Furguson,   F.  A. 

Flenigan,  R.  G. 

Ferrell,  J.  P.  M. 

Fisher,  J.  V. 

Fisher,  Alfred. 

Fisher,  Francis. 

Fisher.   E.    L. 

Faggiot,  Dan. 

GibPon,  D.  M. 

Griffith,  C.  F. 

Grier,  J.  H. 

Grier,  Sam. 

Harkey,    W.    P. 

Howie,  W.  H. 

Halobough,  J.  M. 

Hunter,  A.  B. 

Hoover,   T.  J. 

Hovls,  P. 

Hannon,  D.  A. 

Harris,  J.   S. 

Hins'on,  M. 

Hutchison.   C.   N. 

Hartsell,  Wm. 

Jamison,  J.  1j. 

Jennine's.   J.   H. 

Kirkpatrirk,  W.  L. 

irkpatrick.  J.  M. 

Kerr.  R.  D. 

TCustler,   M.   B. 


Love,  D.  L. 

Liove,  J.  M. 

Lentz,   Aaron. 

Lindsay,  Thos. 

Leeper,  Jas. 

Ludwick,  S. 

Ludwick,  Wm. 

Montgomery,  R.  C. 

McCall.  J.  A. 

McElhany,   E.  A. 

McElh&njy,  S.  L. 

McDonald,  J.   R. 

McDonald,    Worth. 

Millen,  R.  A. 

McKinzie,  Wm. 

Means,   P.    B. 

Moore,  J.  M. 

Miller,   S. 

Minus,  J.  S. 

Nance,  W,  T. 

Nelson,  J.  M. 

Norwood.   R.   P. 

Neagle,  J.  F. 

Prather,  W.  S. 

Quiry,  Walter. 

Reed.  W.  H. 

Russell,  P.  J. 

Roper,   P.   H. 

Regler,  J.  R. 

Rea,   D.  B. 

Rea,   Sam'l. 

Smith,   D.   W. 

Smith,  A. 

Smith,  R.  T. 

Smith,  J.  B. 

Smith,  John. 

Smith,  Wm. 

Sloan,  W.   S. 

Shuman,  W.  H. 

Sharp,  J.  R. 

Survis,  T.    O. 

Terris  C.  E. 

Tiser,    W.    H.    G. 

Taylor,  D.  B. 

Tate,  T.  A. 

Tate,  F.  A. 

Torrence.  C.  L. 

Wilsion,   Wm. 

Wilson,  J.   C. 

White,  R.  S. 

We'aver,  J.  A. 

Wrie-ht,  J.  C. 

Wryfield,  Wm. 

Wallace,  I.  N. 

Younts,  J.  A. 

Young,  J.  A. 

Casualties    not    reported. 


MKCK1.KNBURG   COUNTY. 


359 


From  Mecklenburg,  Not  in  Com- 
panies Raised  in  County. 

Solomon  Harkey,  Heavy  Artil- 
lery, Wilmington. 

Captain  Nic.  Gibbon,  Com.  28th 
Regt.,  N.  C.  Troops. 


Mecklenburg  Men  Recruited  by 
Capt.  N.  P.  Rankin,  of  Quit- 
ford. 

J.  L.  Adams,  orderly  sergt. 
W.  A.  Mock. 
W.  H.  Mock,  sergt. 
John  N.  Patterson. 
Wm.  Boils. 


Reconstruction  Times  in  Mecklenburg. 

With  the  end  of  the  war  came  reconstruction.  The  county 
of  Mecklenburg-  never  saw  trouble  before  or  since  equal  to 
the  anoyance  we  were  made  to  endure  for  seven  years.  Im- 
mediately on  the  disbanding-  of  our  armies,  the  Federal  sol- 
diers, six  thousand  stromg.  camped  in  and  around  Charlotte, 
to  keep  our  people  quiet. 

It  is  hard  to  keep  within  the  bounds  of  decorum  and  tell 
the  plain,  unvarnished  truth,  while  this  despotism  lasted. 
The  people  were  helpless  indeed;  their  armies  disbanded,  all 
arms  given  up,  or  at  least  were  called  for.  Crops  were 
pitched  and  worked  over  once  before  the  surrender,  but  the 
people  had  no  money  to  hire  labor  to  work  their  crops; 
horses  and  mules  were  stolen  by  Federal  soldiers,  and  some 
by  our  former  slaves ;  no  redress  by  process  oif  law.  Where 
a  negro  man  stole  a  mule  and  was  placed  in  jail,  he  was  im- 
mediately taken  out  of  prison  and  the  owner  of  the  mule  noti- 
fied that  any  further  molesting  of  the  colored  man  or  depriv- 
ing him  of  his  liberty  would  meet  with  speedy  punishment. 

A  freedman's  bureau  was  at  once  established  that  took  the 
oversight  of  ail  freed  men,  to  see  that  they  got  what  they 
thought  they  were  entitled  to.  But  for  a  "consideration"  in 
the  wa}^  of  a  private  fee,  the  captain  would  grant  the  em- 
ployer of  negroes  permission  to  use  a  "persuader"  to  in- 
crease the  amount  of  work  gotten  out  of  the  freed  man.  The 
negroes  had  never  enjoyed  freedom  before,  and  if  they  had 
not  been  led  astray  by  unprincipled  white  men,  they  would 
have  listened  to  their  best  friends,  their  former  masters. 
They  always  had  looked  to  them  for  food,  clothing  and  shel- 
ter; and  now  in  their  new  condition  they  could  see  no  help 
only  in  the  Freedman's  Bureau.  And  here  they  were  kicked 
about  by  petty  tyrants  to  steal  what  little  they  could  get  out 
of  them. 

This  bureau  encouraged  stealing  and  enmity  between  the 


MKCKl.KNBLiKG    COUNTY.  36 1 

races  all  over  the  country.  It  was  a  rare  thing  for  those  in 
authority  to  urge  an  idea  or  plan  that  woiild  be  beneficial  to 
both  races ;  they  were  not  willing  for  the  negroes  to  be  gov- 
erned by  the  same  code  of  laws  held  good  for  the  white  race. 
Pro'bably  they  would  not  enrich  the  negro,  but  they  would 
not  allovy  the  law  to  be  enforced,  for  their  stealing.  .\  case 
is  stated  that  occurred  four  miles  from  town  on  the  Beattie's 
I^^'ord  road  that  illustrates  the  matter  as  it  really  occurred. 

John  Henderson — a  mulatto — ^who  was  a  very  thrifty 
man,  really  more  free  when  a  slave  than  he  ever  was  after 
he  became  a  freed  man.  His  house  was  well  furnished,  he 
kept  a  gold  watch  and  a  broadcloth  suit  of  clothes.  These 
last  items  were  stolen  out  oi  his  house  b)'  Yankee  soldiers. 
John  found  them  in  the  possession  of  a  soldier,  and  com- 
plained to  the  General  coinmanding,  who  told  him  to  say 
nothing  more  about  it;  that  it  would  not  be  safe  for  him 
(the  negro)  to  liave  the  man  arrested.  This  was  a  common 
way  of  settling  things  gotten  by  the  slight  of  hand.  Some 
gentlemen  who  were  tired  of  this  kind  of  imposition  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county,  put  blood  hounds  on  the  track  of 
a  thief  or  thieves,  and  tracked  a  load  of  bacon  to  the  central 
part  of  town,  where  the  officer  of  the  day  ordered  the  dogs  to 
be  taken  off.  It  was  worse  than  idle  to  have  resisted.  Yes, 
the  bureau  encouraged  stealing. 

It  was  very  annoying  for  a  good  citizen,  O'f  the  county  to 
be  subpoenaed  by  a  former  slave,  acting  as  deputy,  to  appear 
at  the  bureau  to  answer  certain  complaints  lodged  by  said 
freedman.  It  was  worse  than  foolish  tO'  ignore  the  order. 
Here  you  were  confronted  with  negroes,  probably  some  that 
you  had  never  seen  before. 

Political  speeches  were  made  by  shrewd  negroes  of  an  in- 
flammatory character  that  set  the  freedmen  wild.  They  ex- 
l^ected  the  time  to  speedily  come  when  they  would  be  th^  law- 
makers of  North  Carolina.  All  the  leading  white  men  of  the 
State  were  disfranchised.  All  who  would  not  take  the  oath 
to  support  the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  setting  the 
negroes  free,  and  giving  them  the  right  of  suffrage,  were 


362  HISTORY    OF 

prohibited  from  voting,  or  exercising  the  right  of  suffrage. 
This  exceedingly  bitter  pill  was  forced  upon  us,  when  we 
were  in  this  helpless  condition.  This  election,  the  first  after 
the  surrender,  was  held  in  1868.  I  thought  I  could  vote 
without  fail,  as  no  office  in  the  gift  of  the  State  or  the  United 
States  had  ever  been  entrusted  to  me.  When  I  approached 
the  election  box  with  a  ballot,  the  chief  manager  called  me 
to  halt,  to  hold  up  my  right  hand,  that  he  would  have  to 
swear  me,  and  commenced  reading  a  printed  oath  of  great 
length,  the  latter  part  of  which  was  in  these  words :  "And 
you  further  swear  that  you  never  carried  arms,  aided  or 
abetted  in  the  rebellion  against  the  United  States."  Here 
I  said:  "Hold  on,  'Squire;  that  lets  me  out."  It  is  not  to 
be  supposed  that  one  of  all  the  splendid  body  of  soldiers  that 
went  from  Mecklenburg  acted  less  patriotically.  Some 
scalawags  did  swallow  the  oath,  but  the  people  believed  they 
were  paid  for  their  treachery.  On  the  other  hand  every 
negro  voted  on  his  own  freedom,  and  his  right  to  the  elec- 
tion franchise.  The  election,  like  the  negro's  idea  of  reli- 
gious worship,  was  too  good  to  be  done  with  in  one  day.  The 
negroes  and  scalawags  had  it  all  their  own  way;  it  is  true, 
they  had  orders  how  to  conduct  it.  It  is  true  things  were 
done  by  the  orders  of  Gen.  Canby,  headquarters  in  Charles- 
ton, S.  C. 

The  election  was  held  for  three  successive  days,  carrying 
the  boxes  containing  the  ballots  home  with  them  at  night 
for  three  nights,  and  then  sending  the  boxes  to  Charleston 
for  Gen.  Canby  to  count.  The  whole  election  machinery  in 
the  hands  of  an  irresponsible  party,  and  the  enemies  of  the 
best  people  in  Mecklenburg  county.  Truly  we  were  in  a  hor- 
rible condition.    No  one  knew  what  a  day  would  bring  forth. 

The  first  election  was  about  to  come  off,  and  the  freedmen 
were .  exceedingly  jubilant,  thinking  that  freedom  meant 
licence,  to  take  whatever  they  wanted  without  giving  a  quid 
pro  quo.  Any  kind  of  rumors  could  be  heard  on  the  streets, 
great  crowds  of  negroes  could  be  seen  at  almost  every  cor- 
ner discussing  every  move  that  was  made.     Scarcely  any 


MKCKl.lvNBURG   COUNTY.  363 

person  was  cool  enough  to  guide  the  storm  that  was  brew- 
ing. The  whites  were  but  indifferently  armed.  Probably  a 
thousand  negro  men  parading  the  streets  and  six  thousand 
Federal  soldiers  here  in  camp  to  take  the  part  of  the  negroes 
against  the  white  people  of  the  country.  They  were  in  such 
a  high  state  of  frenzy  as  to  only  need  a  match  to  cause  an  ex- 
plosion. A  man  by  the  name  of  Ed.  Bizzel  was  mayor  at 
this  time,  and  had  his  office  in  the  old  frame  building  on 
West  Trade  street  nearly  opposite  the  Presbyterian  church, 
where  in  after  years  a  negro  killed  an  Italian  by  the  name  of 
Mocha.  Bizzell  strongly  sympathized  with  the  turbulent 
element.  Pie  had  two  or  more  negroes  on  the  police  force, 
Avith  some  very  bad  white  men,  who  were  no  better. 

The  mian  Bizzell,  the  mayor  at  the  time — a  northern 
man — was  a  fit  representative  of  the  party  that  was  preying 
upon  what  was  left  of  the  once  glorious  county  of  Mecklen- 
burg. He  had  a  negro  wife  and  family  of  mulatto  chil- 
dren !  A  chief  ruler,  where  he  was  not  fit  to  serve.  This 
was  called  reconstruction. 

Capt.  F.  S.  DeWolf,  a  true  Confederate,  married  a 
daughter  of  Maj.  J.  B.  Kerr  soon  after  the  war,  while  the 
town  was  infested  with  Federal  troops.  Maj.  Kerr  was 
lying  dangerously  ill  and  his  garden — hotel  garden — was 
raided  every  night  by  a  large  squad  of  soldiers,  and  Capt. 
DeWolf  asked  for  a  guard  to  protect  the  premises  from  the 
nightly  thieves.  One  night  just  after  dark  he  walked  out  to 
see  after  the  safety  of  his  garden,  and  he  saw  the  guard 
talking  to  the  thieves  as  hail  fellows  well  met.  The  captain 
remonstrated  with  them,  and  they  cursed  him.  The  captain 
fired  upon  them  and  killed  one.  He  surrendered  and  was 
tried  by  military  law  and  acquitted.  But  the  privates  swore 
vengeance  against  him,  and  he  had  to  keep  hid  for  weeks  in 
daylight. 

vSergt.  Joe  Orr,  a  brave  soldier  and  good  man,  was  living 
about  five  miles  from  town.  He  was  sent  in  town  by  his  em- 
ployer on  an  errand.  He  hitched  his  horse — which  was  a 
ver}'  fine  one — to  a  tree  where  Mr.  Lum  Springs  now  lives, 


364  HISTORY    OF 

and  stepped  into  a  store  for  a  few  minutes,  and  when  he 
came  out  his  horse  was  gone.  While  enquiring  about  his 
horse,  a  Yankee  sergeant  remarked:  "If  you  will  give  me 
live  dollars,  T  will  find  your  horse."  Mr.  Orr  promptly  gave 
him  the  money.  The  soldier  said :  "Now  get  up  behind  me 
and  we  will  find  your  horse  and  the  thief  at  the  liquor  shop 
in  the  outer  edge  of  town."  When  they  got  there,  there  were 
both  thief  and  horse  in  a  crowd  drinking  at  the  saloon.  Mr. 
Orr  commanded  the  Federal  soldier  to  get  off  his  horse  and  to 
give  up  his  property.  The  Federal  immediately  dismounted 
and  made  for  the  one-arm^  sergeant,  but  he  was  ready  for 
him  and  struck  the  Yankee  a  blow  on  the  head  with  a  hickory- 
stick  that  settled  him.  Orr  was  immediately  arrested,  and  by 
the  time  they  got  up  town  to  the  court  house  a  great  crowd 
had  collected  and  going  up  stairs  in  the  great  throng,  Ser- 
geant Orr  made  his  escape,  jumped  his  fine  horse  and  never 
halted  until  he  reached  home,  loaded  his  double-barreled  shot 
gun  with  buckshot  and  waited  in  the  front  porch  all  night. 
But  fortunately  he  was  not  molested  afterwards.  The  Orr 
family  have  proved  themselves  to  be  brave  men  on  many 
fields  of  battle,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  here  in  Meck- 
lenburg. John  Orr  is  thought  tO'  be  by  many  persons  the 
bravest  man  in  Mecklenburg;  but  they  are  all  good  citizens. 
Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  Federal  troops  in 
Charlotte,  they  issued  an  order  that  no  Confederate  soldier 
should  be  allowed  to  wear  an  insignia  of  rank,  a  Confeder- 
ate button.  The  order  was  to  humiliate  the  Confederate 
soldier,  and  if  possible  to  make  "treason  odious."  The  order 
merely  sensed  to  fan  the  coals  of  hatred  and  keep  alive  the 
spirit  of  resentment.  Nothing  was  more  common  for  a 
few  days  than  to  see  a  Yankee  cut  the  buttons  from  the  coat 
of  an  ex- Confederate,  a.nd  immediately  see  the  Federal 
soldier  knocked  down.  There  were  some  indignities,  though 
trifling  in  them.selves,  no  worthy  man  would  submit  to.  The 
order  was  countermanded  after  a  few  days,  when  it  was  seen 
that  the  indignity  would  be  resented.    Little  things  that  were 


MKCKLKMU'RG    COUNTY.  365 

unworthy  of  notice  could  become  intolerable  ivwing-  to  the 
spirit  in  which  they  were  done. 

It  was  quite  common  for  Federal  soldiers  to  parade  the 
streets  in  crowds  of  six  to  fifteen  in  a  squad,  taking  up  the 
entire  pavement,  insulting  men  or  women,  comipelling  them 
to.  step  off  the  pavement,  and  give  the  right  of  way  to  the 
men  dressed  in  blue.  One  morning  a  squad  passing  up 
North  Tryon  met  an  Alabama  ex-Confederate  who  was  well 
known  in  the  county  before  the  war  for  his  good  humor, 
when  treated  as  a  gentleman,  but  when  treated  insultingly, 
he  was  a  devil  incarnate.  S.  L.  Carrol  was  ordered  by  a 
squad  of  blue  coats  "to  git  off  the  pavement  and  let  gentle- 
men pass."  Quick  as  a  flash  of  powder,  Carrol  struck  the 
spokesman  on  the  side  of  his  head,  knocking  him  senseless. 
The  rest  ran  off  for  help,  intending  to  mob  the  Confederate, 
but  his  friends  urged  him  to  get  away,  as  he  had  no  chance 
against  their  entire  force.  The  little  mill  created  quite  a 
talk  in  the  county  for  a  few  days.  Nothing  ever  grew  out 
of  it.  Mr.  Carrol  stayed  out  of  town  for  a  while,  and  it 
was  soon  forgotten. 

A  very  unequal  tax  was  put  on  the  people.  Whether  it 
was  down  right  robbery  or  not,  we  cannot  say ;  but  it  had  the 
form  of  coming  from  the  United  States  Government.  The 
land  tax,  they  claimed,  was  levied  during  the  war,  and  it  was 
impossible  to  collect  it.  In  some  counties  it  was  collected 
and  in  other  counties  they  never  made  an  effort  to  collect  it. 
Some  persons  positively  refused  to  pay  it,  and  no  effort  was 
made  to  collect.  In  five  or  ten  years,  by  some  means  they 
returned  what  they  pressed  from  our  people.  Whether  a 
guilty  conscience  held  before  their  eyes  or  their  minds  the  ill- 
gotten  gains,  we  will  never  know,  but  all  the  same,  we  were 
glad  to  get  back  what  had  been  stolen  without  interest. 

Whenever  a  rich  prize  could  be  found  it  was  sure  to  be 
seized  by  those  in  control.  If  it  was  not  lying  around  loose, 
they  could  quickly  issue  an  order  that  would  take  in  charge 
whatever  they  could  see  had  money — big  money — in  it.  The 
South  was  a  bonanza  for  those  who  ran  the  despotism  for 


366  HISTORY    OF 

what  money  was  in  it.  They  put  a  tax  on  lint  cotton  of  three 
cents  a  pound — $3.00  per  hundred,  $15.00  per  bale  for  500- 
pound  bale.  A  farmer  who  raised  ten  bales  paid  a  tax  of 
$150.00.  We  had  many  farmers  in  Mecklenburg  county 
who  raised  five  times  that  amount  of  cotton,  and  conse- 
quently paid  the  tax  in  full. 

The  cries  of  the  oppressed  people  were  not  loud,  but  they 
were  deep.  Many  women  who  were  raised  tenderly  and 
were  accustomd  to  have  every  wish  gratified,  now  saw  the 
wolf  of  want  at  their  doors,  now  rose  up  and  saw  their  all 
taken  away,  instead  of  pining  about  the  hard  luck,  they  went 
to  work  with  a  will  and  forced  nature  to  open  her  store- 
house, and  no  one  starved  in  our  county.  But  we  certainly 
are  under  no  obligations  to  the  United  States  Government 
for  favors  shown  in  the  days  of  our  humiliation. 

In  the  times  of  reconstruction  one  of  the  most  humiliat- 
ing spectacles  we  were  forced  to  witness  was  the  order  for- 
bidding ministers  to  perform  the  functions  of  their  ofifice 
unless  they  would  take  the  iron-clad  oath,  "Declaring  that 
they  never  aided  or  abetted  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion." 
Some  of  the  best  men  in  the  world,  in  this  county,  for  two 
years  never  administered  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, administered  baptism,  or  solemnized  a  marriage 
till  the  order  was  revoked.  Some  ministers  paid  no 
attention  to  the  order,  but  went  right  on,  virtually  defying 
the  commands  of  Gen.  Canby. 

The  political  situation  in  this  county  had  to  be  held  with 
an  iron  hand  in  the  troublous  days  of  reconstruction.  It 
got  into  some  of  the  churches  in  the  country  that  did  no  good 
to  the  cause  of  religion,  but  wrought  much  evil.  The  won- 
der is  it  did  not  do  more  harm  when  the  people  were  so 
stirred  in  political  matters.  But  it  was  fortunately  arranged 
that  no  permanent  bad  effect  resulted.  We  got  rid  of  some 
preachers  that  were  more  anxious  to  reap  political  honors 
than  win  souls  for  Christ. 

Within  a  few  months  after  the  Federal  soldiers  took 
charge  of  the  town  and  county,  they  organized  the  Loyal 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  367 

League,  a  preliminary  to  the  Republican  party.  All  over  the 
county  meetings  were  held  at  night  to  encourage  negroes  to 
join.  A  few  white  men  would  act  with  them,  but  extremely 
few  who  were  educated,  and  they  were  generally  ostracised, 
by  the  good  people  of  the  county.  Politics  absorbed  all  the 
attention  of  every  one.  It  was  the  negroes  and  bad  whites 
against  the  conservative  element.  It  went  from  bad  to  worse 
until  the  "Ku  Klux"  was  organized  for  self-protection.  The 
two  parties  did  not  go  so  far  in  disturbing  the  peace  of  the 
county,  as  was  done  in  other  places.  Hence  the  Ku  Klux 
v/ere  not  called  on  so  often  to  regulate  the  troubles  in 
this  county;  but  they  exercised  a  wholesome  authority  in  the 
community.  A  negro,  Tom  Alexander,  who  lived  just  west 
of  Huntersville,  thought  if  he  was  free  he  had  a  right  to  vote 
as  he  pleased;  and  he  voted  the  conservative  ticket,  where- 
upon he  was  ostracised  by  all  the  negroes  and  his  children 
beaten  by  other  children  and  called  "Democrat  niggers." 
This  was  carried  on  till  it  became  more  than  Tom  would 
bear.  He  went  over  to  the  house  of  the  father  of  the  children 
who  had  beaten  his,  and  asked  him  to  correct  his  children  for 
their  bad  behavior.  He  jumped  up  and  seized  a  hand  spike 
and  ordered  Tom  out  of  his  yard,  advancing  on,  him,  when 
Tom  shot  him  dead.  The  negroes  applied  to  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  a  warrant  for  Tom's  arrest.  The  warrant  was 
put  in  the  hands  of  the  worst  negro  in  the  county  as  a  deputy 
officer,  who  said  he  was  specially  instructed  to  search  the 
houses  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Alexander  and  R.  B.  Hunter,  Esq.  For 
two  or  three  days  a  gang  of  fifty  negroes  were  scouring  the 
roads  and  fields  in  every  direction,  armed  with  every  con- 
ceivable kind  of  weapon,  on  foot  and  horseback.  The  neigh- 
borhood was  thoroughly  terrorized ;  that  is,  the  women  and 
children  were  in  danger.  They  had  never  witnessed  a  similar 
sight  before.  ♦  Mr.  James  Blythe  went  to  the  negro  deputy 
and  asked  to  see  his  warrant,  vi^hich  he  transferred  to  his 
own  pocket,  and  dismissed  the  negroes.  It  was  truly  a 
reign  of  terror  while  it  lasted;  but  it  was  in  keeping  with 
the  manner  of  reconstruction.     Thirty  years  have  passed, 


368  HISTORY    OF 

and  Tom  has  not  returned.  His  wife  and  children  still  live 
in  Mecklenburg.  The  white  people  at  large  have  shown  her 
much  sympathy,  and  her  children  have  done  well  and  are 
regarded  as  good  citizens. 

Another  scheme  of  robbery  practiced  by  Federal  soldiers 
during  their  stay  in  Charlotte,  was  to  hunt  up  branded 
horses  which  Gen.  Grant  willingly  let  the  Confederate  sol- 
diers take  to  their  homes  to  cultivate  a  crop  with.  They 
would  bring  them  in  and  demand  from  ten  to-  thirty  dollars 
for  the  horse,  and  if  the  poor  soldier  could  not  raise  the  cash. 
it  was  sold  tO'  some  one  else.  So  the  crop  would  have  to  be 
lost  for  the  want  of  a  horse. 

The  people  were  all  miserably  poor.  It  was  hard  to  get  a 
start  in  the  race  of  life.  Some  farmers  had  a  few  bales  of 
cotton  laid  away  for  a  rainy  day;  but  the  order  of  stealing 
had  become  so  common  it  was  almost  impossible  to  keep  it, 
and  it  was  in  almost  as  much  danger  to  offer  it  for  sale.  The 
Yankees  were  as  watchful  as  hawks  for  anything  that  they 
could  turn  intoi  money.  Cotton  that  was  stored  in  Charlotte 
stood  no  better  chance  of  safety. 

Col.  L.  S.  Williams  had  more  than  five  hundred  bales  in 
different  places,  and  lost  it  all  but  one  hundred  bales.  An 
expert  thief  commanded  a  premium,  and  truth  forbids  it  to 
be  said  that  no  thief  belonged  to  Mecklenburg  county.  The 
whole  country  was  more  or  less  demoralized.  One  of  Gen. 
Canby's  orders  that  was  enforced  was  that  every  woman, 
before  she  could  be  lawfully  married,  would  have  to  take 
an  oath  to  "support  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 
This  was  done  to  humiliate  our  people,  the  women  who 
stood  firm  for  the  rights  of  the  South  and  exhibited  a  patriot- 
ism that  has  never  been  excelled  in  the  world.  This  oath 
had  to  be  administered  by  a  Notary  Public  or  a  Magistrate. 
And  as  no  preacher  could  take  the  iron-clad  oath,  a  Justice 
of  the  Peace  could  not  only  administer  the  oath,  but  could 
perform  the  martial  rites  as  well.  It  was  also  ordered  that 
all  negroes  living  as  man  and  wife,  must  be  married  over 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  369 

again,  that  is,  buy  new  license,  which  cost  them  $3.00,  even 
if  they  were  on  the  clown  hill  of  life,  and  their  children  had 
left  home  to  start  families  of  their  own.  The  price  of  the 
license  had  to  be  paid. 


Last  Cha.pler  of  Mecklenburg  History. 

We  have  seen  the  appearance  of  Mecklenburg  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  ago,  "in  good  old  colonial  times  when 
we  lived  under  the  king;"  when  the  tall  prairie  grass  and  the 
wild  pea  vines  covered  the  whole  face  of  the  Western  part 
of  the  State;  when  the  log  cabin  of  the  early  settler,  located 
down  near  the  spring,  always  extended  a  most  cordial 
invitation  to  the  "new  comer,"  who  was  hunting  a  home  in 
the  land  of  the  deer  and  the  buffalo,  with  great  abundance  of 
smaller  game ;  when  the  water  courses  were  well  stocked 
with  fish,  even  the  spring  branches  were  frolicsome  with 
the  horny  heads  and  minnows,  up  to  the  fountain  head. 

Modern  utilitarianism  will  have  much  to  answer  for  at 
the  shrine  of  natural  beauty  of  scenery,  of  the  virgin  soil 
of  Mecklenburg  county.  The  deep  channels  of  our  creeks 
are  now  filled  up;  the  timber  on  our  uphnds,  as  well  as  the 
creek  and  river  bottoms,  has  been  cleared,  and  the  soil  has 
been  carried  away  by  the  rains ;  the  meadows  have  been  over- 
flooded,  and  the  sweet  grass  that  formerly  fed  the  cattle  and 
sheep  in  large  beards  and  flocks,  is  now  only  heard  of  when 
some  old  man  who  was  raised  on  the  farm  becomes  remi- 
niscent. The  first  half  of  the  last  century  our  people  seemed 
to  think  we  should  raise  at  home  all  that  we  needed  to  eat 
or  wear;  that  if  our  people  stayed  at  home,  that  they  had 
"but  little  need  of  money,  consequently  they  did  not  try  to 
have  much  for  market,  or  at  least  did  not  raise  much  that 
would  have  to  be  hauled  by  wagon.  Some  horses,  mules, 
cattle,  sheep  and  turkeys  were  driven  to  Charleston  tO'  find 
a  market  and  sometimes  to  Philadelphia.  The  first  railroad 
finished  to  Charlotte  was  from  Columbia,  in  1852. 

Before  this  period,  that  is  before  railroads  were  built,  but 
little  was  consumed  on  the  farm  but  what  was  raised  there, 
or  manufactured  at  home. 

Until  the  first  half  of  the  -Nineteenth  century  was  passed. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  3/1 

all  the  iron  that  was  used  in  Mecklenburg  came  from  the 
iron  works  in  Lincoln  county.  It  was  in  bars  six  to  ten  feet 
long-,  about  one  inch  thick  and  two  and  a  half  wide,  with  a 
wide  expanse  at  one  end,  from  six  inches  to  a  foot  in  width. 
This  wide  piece  was  to  make  various  sized  plows.  This  re- 
quired heavy  work  to  hammer  it  into  the  shape  desired.  The 
blacksmith  was  truly  an  artist  a  hundred  years  ago.  Every- 
thing that  was  wanted  or  needed,  had  to  be  home  made,  even 
the  nails  to  build  our  houses,  fix  the  doors  and  window  shut- 
ters, and  to  nail  on  the  roofs.  Fortunately  the  timber  out  of 
which  our  shingles  were  made  would  last  indefinitely.  It 
was  not  uncommon  for  shingle  roofs  to  last  and  turn  rain  for 
eighty  years,  and  when  patched,  it  would  be  good  for  a  cen- 
tury. Now  what  do  we  see  as  for  building  material  ?  Lumber 
is  dried  and  dressed  by  machinery,  put  at  your  door,  all  the 
irons,  nails,  screws,  hinges,  locks  and  bolts  are  gotten  from 
the  hardware  stores,  in  every  variety  that  the  most  fastidious 
taste  could  desire.  The  old  time  blacksmith  is  now  a  back 
number,  except  to  shoe  horses  and  repair  breaks  in  vehicles 
and  machinery.  The  farmers  no  longer  cut  their  small  grain 
with  a  scythe  and  cradle,  but  they  use  reapers  and  bind- 
i-rs,  which  do  the  work  of  ten  cradles,  and  save  the  grain 
much  better.  Before  1850  farmers  were  hard  put  to  have 
their  small  grain  thrashed  out  of  the  straw.  The  most  com- 
mon way  was  to  have  it  tramped  out  with  horse  or  oxen. 
Some  persons  beat  it  out  with  a  flail,  and  some  by  turning  a 
wagon  upon  it,  but  then  it  would  have  to  be  done  out  of 
doors,  subject  to  rain  and  storm. 

In  this  the  revolution  has  been  as  great  as  in  the  harvest. 
The  thrashing  and  cleaning  and  sacking  is  all  done  by  ma- 
chinery. All  work  is  done  by  the  saving  of  labor,  the  ex- 
pense is  less  and  the  work  is  more  efficiently  performed  than 
when  done  by  hand.  The  first  three-fourths  of  the  century 
only  the  French  burr  stones  were  supposed  to  be  the  best  of 
all  substances  that  could  be  found  for  making  flour ;  but  in 
these  latter  years  it  has  been  discovered  that  roller  mills 
give  the  greatest  satisfaction.     Iron,  or  chilled  rollers,  the 


372  HISTORY    OF 

porcelain  or  glass  rollers,  having  a  wonderful  velocity,  makes 
the  most  elegant  flour  on  the  market.  The  old  water  mill 
that  we  thought  fifty  years  ago  could  not  be  improved  upon, 
is  now  almost  forgotten,  and  grain  mills  are  now  to  be  found 
in  successful  operation  at  all  respectable  sized  towns, 
although  no  creek  or  river  may  be  in  sight.  Steam  has  been 
the  great  motive  power,  but  is  now  giving  way  to  electricity, 
which  in  one  or  two  decades  will  be  the  great  motive  power 
of  the  world,  unless  liquid  air  or  some  future  discovery 
should  take  its  place. 

At  the  first  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  or  during  the  first 
quarter  of  the  century,  the  people  only  planted  a  small 
"patch"  of  cotton,  just  enough  for  the  good  women  of  the 
home  to  spin  and  have  woven  into  cloth  for  the  family.  It  is 
not  supposed  there  was  a  ctoton  gin  in  Mecklenburg  county 
prior  to  1825.  Prior  to  this  cotton  was  finger-picked — 
that  is,  the  seed  were  picked  out  by  hand.  The  end  of  the 
century  has  come,  and  all  agricultural  work  has  changed  as 
if  the  fabled  Genii  had  made  a  revolution  that  has  made  us  a 
new  civilization;  virtually,  "old  things  have  passed  away, 
and  all  things  have  become  new."  Cotton  was  then  in  its 
infancy. 

In  the  closing  years  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  we  have 
seen  a  wonderful  change  in  the  civilization  in  times  in  which 
we  live.  Instead  of  the  cotton  "patch"  of  one  hundred  years 
ago,  we  have  large  fields  of  the  fleecy  staple,  and  it  has  become 
the  principal  crop.  It  used  to  be  the  rule  on  negro  quarters 
for  the  negro  men  to  gear  two  horses  to  the  gin  and  leave  a 
woman  and  a  half-grown  boy  to  gin  cotton;  they  would 
finish  one  bale  by  noon,  which  the  hands  would  pack  while 
the  horses  were  eating,  and  gin  another  bale  by  night.  Two 
bales  in  a  day  fifty  years  ago  was  considered  a  good  day's 
work.  Now,  in  the  year  1902,  ten  to  fifteen  and  even  twenty 
bales  a  day  is  not  considered  as  great  a  day's  work  as  when 
five  bales  were  done  in  a  day. 

It  was  a  question  a  half  a  century  ago,  what  is  the  easiest 
way  to  dispose  of  the  cotton  seed;  we  did  not  know  their 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  373 

value  then,  the  oil  had  not  been  expressed,  no  price  was 
fixed ;  meal  was  not  known  then  to  hold  so  much  nitrogen  for 
making  fertilizers  of  so  g-reat  value,  and  for  feeding  pur- 
poses. The  seed  that  we  formerly  wasted  is  now  worth  one- 
fourth  of  the  entire  crop.  The  cotton  crop  now  holds  the 
balance  of  power  among  the  crops  of  the  country.  There 
was  probably  not  a  cotton  factory  in  the  county  prior  to 
1875.  Now  the  county  stands  first  in  the  number  of  mills 
or  factories.  Our  county  has  been  anything  else  than  a 
laggard  in  the  race  of  progress. 

When  a  boy  going  to  school  it  was  a  common  sight  to  see 
large  flocks  of  sheep.  A  half  a  century  ago  but  few  people 
kept  their  sheep  up  in  pasture,  but  let  them  run  at  large. 
Almost  every  farmer  kept  from  20  to  80  in  a  flock.  By 
salting  them  when  they  came  home,  they  always  knew  where 
to  find  a  "lick." 

It  was  rare  sport  for  school  children  to  witness  the  leader 
of  a  flock  to  espie  another  flock  approaching,  and  he  knew 
intuitively  that  a  fight  was  brewing,  for  every  flock  had  its 
ram  that  would  champion  the  cause  of  the  family.  The  two 
belligerents  seemed  to  understand  that  nothing  short  of  a 
decisive  battle  would  put  a  quietus  on  the  approaching  lead- 
ers. The  flocks  would  take  opposite  sides,  remain  quiet,  and 
the  rams  would  step  backwards  till  they  were  about  twenty 
paces  apart,  when  they  would  run  rapidly  together,  butting 
their  heads  together  with  a  loud  noise,  frequently  both  being 
knocked  down.  This  operation  being  repeated  till  one  of  the 
two  would  run.  Sometimes  their  horns  would  become 
locked,  and  they  would  be  found  dead,  still  unclasped.  For 
the  last  twenty-five  years  the  worthless  dogs  have  made  it 
unprofitable  to  raise  sheep  in  this  county.  It  is  now  a  lost 
industry,  that  children  and  vagrants  may  enjoy  the  pleasure 
of  keeping  a  pack  of  dogs. 

The  common,  or  the  old  field  schools,  did  not  improve  very 
much  till  the  last  quarter  of  the  Nineteenth  century.  The 
room  in  which  the  school  was  taught  was  generally  built  of 
logs,  with  a  dirt  floor,  a  log  was  cut  out  for  a  window  where 


374  HISTORY    OF 

a  writing  desk  was  made;  slabs  were  used  for  benches,  gen- 
erally so  high  that  little  children  could  not  reach  the  floor, 
and  a  child  would  be  in  punishment  for  days  or  months  at  a 
time.  But  we  are  glad  to  know  that  a  decided  improvement 
in  respect  to  school  houses  has  taken  place  in  the  latter  days. 
The  pupils  are  more  comfortable,  and  in  a  better  spirit  more 
in  accord  with  a  desire  to  learn.  We  now  have  teachers 
worthy  of  the  name,  to  train  our  children. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  century,  the  rod  was  considered  a 
necessity — very  necessary  part  of  the  school  furniture.  Mr. 
T.  W.  Sparrow,  who  was  a  most  excellent  scholar  as  well  as 
a  good  teacher,  often  remarked:  "If  you  will  furnish  the 
boy  and  the  book,  I  will  do  the  whipping."  In  the  last  quar- 
ter of  a  century  the  pendulum  has  swung  too  far  the  other 
wav.  A  happy  medium  would  probably  produce  the  best  re- 
sults. 

Until  the  last  fifty  years,  or  even  down  to  twenty-five 
years  ago,  to  see  a  child  or  a  young  person  wearing  specta- 
cles was  almost  unheard  of.  Now  you  hardly  see  a  school 
room  but  has  one  or  more  pupils  with  defective  vision.  In 
fact  we  are  noted  as  a  people  given  to  wearing  eye-glasses. 
The  question  is  frequently  asked,  "What  is  the  cause  of  so 
much  impaired  vision?"  It  can  be  truthfully  said  that  the 
vigor  of  manhood  has  been  impaired  to  a  remarkable  extent 
in  the  last  third  of  a  century.  It  formerly  was  not  consid- 
ered excessive  for  a  man  to  cut  and  split  one  hundred  rails 
in  a  day,  or  cut  one  hundred  dozen  of  wheat  or  oats  in  a 
day.  Now  it  takes  two  men  to  perform  the  same  amount  of 
labor.  "The  part  of  least  resistance  is  the  first  to  give  way." 
The  offspring  of  such  enfeebled  persons  shows  degeneracy 
in  different  parts  of  the  body,  and  we  might  expect  as  deli- 
cate an  organ  as  the  eye  to  be  affected  more  or  less  seriously. 

The  negro  in  slavery  time  never  complained  of  any  defect 
of  vision  until  old  age  came  on,  but  now  they  can  sport  eye- 
glasses with  as  much  grace  and  pride  of  dress  as  if  they  came 
of  a  long  line  of  weak  eyes. 

The  thousands  of  Confederate  soldiers  with  whom  we 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  375 

were  associated,  scarcely  a  one  needed  his  eyesight  improved 
forty  years  ago.  But  now  if  we  go  on,  a  visit  to  the  various 
asylums  in  Morganton  and  Raleigh,  we  see  not  only  the 
blind  and  deaf  and  dumb,  but  what  is  worse,  the  vast  and  in- 
creasing number  of  insane.  The  State  has  a  heavy  load. 
Our  new  civilization  will  have  much  to  answer  for  at  the  bar 
of  a  healthy  people. 

Dr.  Julian  J.  Chisholm,  of  Baltimore,  told  the  writer  once 
in  treating  a  lady's  eyes,  in  which  he  met  with  only  failure, 
at  which  he  was  much  mortified,  he  said  to  her  if  he  were  not 
sure  to  the  contrary,  he  would  say  she  was  addicted  to  the  use 
of  tobacco.  She  blushed  and  said  she  would  have  to  plead 
guilty.  That  may  be  the  cause  of  many  cases  of  defective 
eyesight. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Nineteenth  century,  the  price  of 
newspapers  was  three  to  five  times  as  high  as  one  hundred 
years  later,  and  so  was  the  postage  on  papers  and  letters, 
which  last  was  twenty-five  cents,  which  has  gradually  been 
reduced  to  two  cents,  and  a  postal  card  to  one  cent.  There 
was  but  one  postoffice  between  Charlotte  and  Davidson  Col- 
lege. That  was  Alexandriana,  the  mail  on  which  route  was 
carried  once  a  week — going  from  Statesville  to  Charlotte  on 
Friday  and  back  on  Saturday.  The  mail  was  always  light. 
The  postmaster  would  carry  all  the  Hopewell  mail  to  church 
the  next  day  and  leave 'it  on  the  table,  and  every  one  could 
get  his  own  mail.  All  the  mail  for  north  Mecklenburg  and 
South  Iredell  for  one  week's  distribution,  was  carried  in  one 
mail  sack — about  a  peck.  But  few  persons  went  to  the  office, 
nearly  every  person  wrote  by  some  one  going  in  that  direc- 
tion. People  in  the  olden  time  were  very  accommodating — 
more  so  than  now. 

Dime  novels  were  then,  unknown,  and  it  is  more  than  prob- 
able there  was  nothing  lost  in  that  respect.  Books  at  that 
time  were  scarce  and  high.  There  was  no  room  for  cheap 
novels  then.  Political  papers  of  a  high  order  could  be  had — 
that  is,  weekly  papers ;  but  they  cost  high.  Educated  gentle- 
men had  pretty  fair  libraries,  but  they  were  few  and  far  be- 


376  HISTORY   OF 

tween.  A  cultured  gentleman  like  D.  A.  Caldwell  would 
have  a  good  library. 

For  the  first  25  years  of  the  Nineteenth  Century,  newspa- 
pers were  exceedingly  scarce  in  the  State,  not  to  speak  of  the 
county.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  Charlotte  could  not 
beast  of  a  paper  prior  to  1825.  Holton's  North  Carolina 
Whig  was  established  in  1824.  Tho.' Hornet  Nest  was  pub- 
lished by  Badger  and  Philo  Henderson,  commencing  about 
1848.  .It  lasted  several  years  and  gave  way  for  the  Western 
Democrat  in  the  early  fifties,  by  R.  P.  Wearing,  who  ran  it 
successfully  until  he  received  a  consulate  in  the  Danish  West 
Indies,  when  Mr.  W.  J.  Yates  took  charge  and  made  it  a 
splendid  success,  both  as  a  newspaper  and  a  business  enter- 
prise. E.  H.  Britten  began  editing  the  Bulletin  about  i860. 
It  was  kept  up  till  after  the  war,  when  bankruptcy  over- 
took the  whole  country.  Gen.  Hill  published  his  magazine, 
The  Land  VVe  Love,  for  several  years,  and  afterwards  the 
Southern  Home  newspaper,  which  was  very  spicy  and  pop- 
ular. About  the  same  time  the  Observer  was  started  by 
Charles  Ft  Jones,  which  was  well  edited  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  wielded  considerable  influence.  This  was  a  big 
stride  forward.  The  Bulletin  was  the  first  daily,  but  the 
Observer  was  an  improvement.  Mr.  Jones'  health  gave  way 
and  the  paper  was  run  by  the  stockholders  as  best  they  could 
for  a  few  years.  Mr.  Robert  Hayden  took  charge  for  some 
time,  but  in  a  year  or  two  abandoned  the  paper,  when  the 
stockholders  secured  the  present  editor,  Mr.  J.  P.  Caldwell, 
who  has  given  Mecklenburg  the  best  paper  ever  published 
in  her  bounds.  He  is  associated  with  D.  A.  Tompkins  in 
publishing  the  paper,  with  a  staff  of  good  reporters,  and 
are  making  a  grand  success.  The  Evening  News  is  also 
proving  a  successful  venture,  with  Mr.  W.  C.  Dowd  as  edi- 
tor. It  now  appears  to  be  one  of  the  fixtures  which  the  city 
is  proud  of. 

The  Peoples'  Paper,  edited  by  J.  P.  Sossaman,  has  been 
running  for  several  years  as  a  free  lance,  criticising  accord- 
ing to  how  people  do.     The  virtuous  are  praised  and  those 


01^ 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  377 

who  violate  the  law  are  condemned.  He  has  a  satisfactory 
circulation. 

The  Mill  Neivs  is  ably  edited  and  reaches  many  readers. 
The  Enterprise,  a  negro  paper,  has  been  issued — not  regu- 
larly— for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  read  by  the  people  of 
that  race.  The  organ  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  North 
Carolina  is  published  here,  and  has  a  backing  by  the  Synod 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  State,  and  it  has  the  best 
opportunity  of  any  in  the  State.  Our  town  and  county  is 
admirably  supplied  with  the  best  of  religious  and  political 
papers,  and  mill  and  scientific  papers  to  teach  science  as  ap- 
plied to  manufactures.  Charlotte  has  two  medical  journals 
that  will  compare  favorably  with  any  published  in  any  city 
in  America.  In  the  earlier  years  there  was  no  progress  in 
caring  for  the  sick,  but  what  every  family  could  do  in  look- 
ing after  their  people.  Time  has  brought  many  changes,  and 
some  for  the  good  of  our  fellow  beings.  We  now  have  three 
hospitals  where  forty  years  ago  we  had  only  a  temporary 
shelter  for  soldiers,  we  now  have  such  pleasant  quarters  that 
some  of  our  most  refined  ladies  cheerfully  accept  a  ward  in 
the  hospitals  to  bring  their  sick. 

There  are  two  elegant  hospitals  in  use  here  for  the  white 
people,  and  one  for  the  colored  people.  Both  have  the  latest 
appointments  with  the  most  skillful  physicians  and  well- 
trained  nurses.  Discoveries  in  medicine  and  surgical  appli- 
ances, and  the  microscope  have  all  yielded  benefits  to  suffer- 
ing humanity. 

The  first  railroad  in  the  county,  Columbia  &  Charlotte, 
was  finished  in  1852.  A  big  celebration  and  barbecue  with 
speaking  was  the  order  of  the  day.  In  1856  the  railroad 
from  Goldsboro  to  Charlotte  was  finished.  Until  this  road 
was  finished,  the  Democratic  party  was  opposed  to  all  inter- 
nal improvements  by  State  taxation ;  but  they  were  not  op- 
posed to  individuals  subscribing  to  public  works.  The  State 
took  no  stock  in  the  Charlotte  &  Columbia  railroad.  Many 
Democrats  laughed  at  the  idea  of  building  a  railroad  that 


3/8  .  HISTORY    OF 

would  not  have  more  than  two  t?'ain  loads  a  year,  one  in  the 
fall  and  one  in  the  spring ! 

The  road  from  Wilmington  to  Lincolnton  and  on  up  the 
mountains,  has  been  in  operation  since  1875,  or  there  abouts. 
The  road  to  Statesville  or  Taylorsville  was  put  in  running 
order  soon  after  the  war,  the  iron  having  been  taken  up  to 
build  the  road  from  Greensboro  to  Danville  during  the  war, 
as  a  necessary  war  measure.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  seventh 
decade — about  1876  or  1877,  the  road  was  completed  to  At- 
lanta. The  county  paid  $300,000  to  build  the  Atlanta  and 
vStatesville  roads.  The  county  has  made  wonderful  pro- 
gress in  the  last  twenty-five  years,  and  has  at  least  doubled 
her  population. 

In  the  last  twenty-five  years  the  bicycle  has  made  its  ap- 
pearance, and  is  in  use  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  There  ap- 
pears no  valid  reason  why  it  may  not  be  a  fixture  to  stay. 
It  is  now  used  by  both  sexes  to  visit  the  metropolis,  in  all 
sections  of  the  county.  The  depots  and  repair  shops  now 
indicate  their  common  use,  and  the  price  having  come  down 
within  the  reach  of  all,  there  is  no  reason  why  every  one 
should  not  ride  a  wheel,  wherever  the  roads  will  admit  it. 

MERCHANTS   IN    185O-I9OO. 

A  half  century  ago  the  stores  were  dry  goods  establish- 
ments. If  a  man  wished  to  carry  a  variety  of  goods,  they 
were  all  in  one  house.  H.  B.  &  L.  S.  Williams  kept  in  the 
south  corner  of  the  public  square,  now  occupied  by  the  Car- 
olina Clothing  Company.  It  was  a  fair  sample  of  the  stores. 
They  carried  a  general  assortment  of  dry  goods,  a  few  sacks 
of  coffee,  sugar,  molasses,  cheese  and  tea.  Loaf  sugar, 
moulded  in  cone  shape,  wrapped  in  blue  paper,  tied  with 
twine  and  hung  overhead — this  was  the  only  kind  considered 
good  enough  to  sweeten  "bought"  tea.  They  also  had  vast 
quantities  of  yarn,  hung  overhead.  This  was  in  "bunches," 
five  poimds,  ranging  from  400,  the  coarsest,  on  up  to  1,000 
or  1,200,  the  finest.    But  little  or  no  negro  cloth  was  brought 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  379 

on  by  merchants.  It  was  all  spun  and  woven  at  home,  both 
for  summer  and  winter  wear.  The  plain  wool  hats  to  wear 
for  every  day  were  made  by  hatters  in  every  neighborhood. 
The  merchants  fifty  years  ago  kept  finer  goods  than  they  do 
now.  Broadcloth  sold — a  good  article — at  $15.00  per  yard, 
and  a  silk  dress  equally  as  liigh.  When  the  merchants,  or 
any  one  else  wanted  to  borrow  money,  they  applied  to  their 
country  friends,  where  they  w^ould  not  be  turned  down. 
When  the  railroad  got  to  town  the  merchants  multiplied. 
Ready-made  clothing  first  made  its  appearance  with  the  ad- 
vent of  Levi  Drucker.  The  Israelites  followed  close  on  the 
coming  of  the  railroads.  They  have  proved  amongst  our 
best  citizens. 

The  city  has  grown  so  that  it  would  not  be  recognized  as 
the  same  place  if  visited  by  persons  who  liveed  here  a  half 
century  ago.  Among  the  active  men  who  took  part  here 
fifty  years  ago  we  mention  Leroy  Springs,  William  David- 
son, W.  W.  Elms,  H.  B.  Williams,  John  Irwin,  David  Parks, 
Sam  Harris,  Richard  Carson,  John  A.  Young,  T.  H.  Brem, 
and  men  of  a  more  recent  date,  who  were  very  active' — T.  L. 
Alexander,  William  Johnston,  A.  B.  Davidson,  R.  Y.  Mc- 
Aden,  J.  Y.  Brice,  S.  P.  Alexander,  R.  M.  Oates  and  many 
more.  The  town  was  then  only  a  small  village,  with  streets 
hardly  any  better  than  the  ordinary  big  roads.  It  was  com- 
mon for  wagons  to  stall  or  mire  down  in  the  public  square. 
The  streets  were  not  macadamized,  or  begun  to  be  paved 
until  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Nor  were  the  roads  made 
hardly  passable  for  wagons,  in  the  winter  time  twenty  years 
ago.  Some  expert  drivers  stayed  near  the  creek  west  of 
t(nvn  to  drive  your  load  up  the  fearful  Irwin's  lane.  For 
fifty  cents  they  would  land  your  load  up  town. 

The  chain  gang  had  much  to  do  with  the  good  ro-ads  we 
now  have  in  the  county.  Much  of  the  road  was  done  over 
two  or  three  times  before  a  satisfactory  highway  was  con- 
structed. Much  money  has  been  spent  for  the  county's  good 
roads,  but  no  one  complains  of  the  taxes  paid.  From  the  lit- 
tle village  we  had  fifty  years  ago,  we  now  see  the  most  thriv- 


380  HISTORY   OF 

ing  city  in  the  State,  with  cotton  mills  that  give  employ- 
ment to  thousands  of  hands,  and  other  kinds  of  mills  and 
machinery  of  every  description  in  full  blast.  The  city  and 
its  suburbs  now  numbers  over  thirty  thousand  inhabitants, 
which  gives  employment  to  truck  farmers  and  dairymen, 
who  realize  a  handsome  profit,  that  formerly  were  engaged 
in  a  less  profitable  business.  A  general  market  has  been 
built  up  for  everything  raised  on  the  farm,  and  by  the  ad- 
vancement of  Mecklenburg,  all  the  surrounding  counties 
have  been  benefited.  Two  of  the  best  female  colleges  in  the 
State  are  largely  patronized,  having  young  ladies  from  sev- 
eral States  in  attendance.  This  is  a  city  of  elegant  churches 
of  every  denomination,  well  attended — in  all  at  least  thirty 
churches — of  elegant  structure,  besides  chapels  and  tem^ 
porary  places  of  worship. 

THE  OLD  CEMETERY. 

The  old  cemetery,  attached  to  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  was  used  for  a  burying  ground  since  the  present 
site  of  the  town  was  laid  off,  or  soon  afterwards.  The  old 
graveyard  east  of  the  city  was  discontinued  soon  after  the 
town  was  located.  The  elder  Polks  and  Barnetts  and  others 
whose  names  have  become  dim  or  obliterated,  a  mile  and  a 
half  east  of  the  town,  have  many  of  their  posterity  and  com- 
peers laid  to  rest  in  what  is  now  called  "the  old  cemetery" 
in  Charlotte.  For  a  little  over  one  hundred  years  this  grave- 
yard was  the  common  place  of  sepulture.  When  the  en- 
closure (walled  in  with  brick)  was  filled  with  the  dead,  a 
new  burying  ground  was  laid  off  and  inclosed,  known  as 
Elmwood,  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  city.  It  is  hand- 
somely kept,  a  beautiful  city  of  the  dead.  How  soon  is  the 
old  one  forgotten!  Many  patriots  of  the  Revolutionary 
War  are  sleeping  there — Col.  Thomas  Polk,  Dr.  Ephraim 
Brevard,  Gen.  George  Graham  and  many  others  of  more 
than  ordinar}'^  fame.  But  such  is  life.  Many  of  the  old 
graveyards  have  been  woefully  neglected,  and  the  private 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  381 

yards  in  Mecklenburg-  are  no  exception.  It  is  only  within 
the  last  forty  years  that  the  civilization  of  the  present  has 
ripened  up  into  flowers,  blooming  for  the  blushing  bride,  and 
all  the  holiday  attire  of  schools  and  appropriately  for  tem- 
ples of  worship;  but  especially  for  those  who  defended  our 
course  in  the  late  war  of  Constitutional  Liberty. 

When  Governor  Vance  last  appeared  before  a  Charlotte 
audience,  although  too  feeble  to  speak,  showers  of  bouquets 
were  thrown  around  his  seat,  indicative  of  the  Easter 
morning  that  awaited  him,  when  he  should  have  completed 
his  course  of  incessant  labor  for  his  people  of  North  Caro- 
lina. Decorating  the  graves  of  our  dead  is  a  beautiful  cus- 
tom. 

Fifty  years  ago  wild  game  was  abundant  of  every  kind. 
The  deer  and  wild  turkey  were  found  in  all  parts  of  the 
county.  The  red  and  grey  fox  could  be  started  with  a  pack 
of  hounds  any  morning  a  chase  might  be  desired.  A  grey 
one  would  lead  the  pack  from  two  to  four  hours,  and  the  red 
would  run  six  to  eight  hours.  When  it  was  known  which 
variety  was  going  to  lead,  one-half  of  the  pack  was  held  in 
reserve  until  Reynard  would  lozccr  his  brush,  wiiich  was  a 
sure  token  that  his  race  was  nearly  run.  Fox  hunting  was 
then  considered  the  gentlemanly  sport  of  the  county.  If  the 
fox  should  have  partaken  of  a  midnight  supper  of  a  pig,  a 
lamb  or  a  goose,  he  would  make  a  poor  run,  lasting  not  more 
than  an  hour.  The  raccoon  and  opossum  were  principally 
hunted  at  night. 

Times  have  chang-ed  and  all  these  species  of  wild  game — 
save  the  opossum — have  disappeared  from  the  county.  The 
forests  have  been  cleared,  and  no  place  is  now  left  to  raise 
their  young.  The  old  field  rabbit  is  at  home  in  the  broom 
sedge  and  briar  thickets.  The  appearance  is  that  the  rabbit 
will  alone  occupy  the  places  that  formerly  were  occupied  by 
the  different  varieties  that  are  missing.  The  birds  that  forty 
years  ago  made  the  woods  alive  with  their  voices,  are  now 
all  hushed ;  the  coveys  of  doves,  larks,  yellowhammers  and 
black  birds  are  nearly  all  gone ;  here  and  there  we  see  a  mock- 


382  HISTORY    OF 

ing-  bird  and  a  jay,  a  cat  bird  and  a  thrush;  all  are  gone  save 
the  partridge,  and  it  alone  is  protected  by  law.  The  English 
sparrow  now  occupies  the  place  of  all  other  birds,  but  has 
been  but  a  late  importation,  and  has  a  pugnacity  that  well 
becomes  the  English,  for  the  Anglo-Saxon  will  not  tolerate 
a  rival. 

In  this  good  year  1902,  it  is  well  for  us  to  take  a  look 
backwards  and  see  what  our  county  population  was  one  hun- 
dred years  ago,  and  what  it  was  when  the  century  was 
finished. 

In  1800  it  was  10,439,  i"  1810  it  was  14,272,  in  1820  it 
was  16,895,  ii"^  183^  it  was  20,073,  in  1840  it  was  18,273,  in 
1850  it  was  13,914,  in  i860  it  was  17,374,  in  1870  it  was 
24.298,  in  t88o  it  was  34,175,  in  1890  it  was  42,673,  in 
1900  it  was  55,261. 

In  the  decade  from  1845  to  1855,  there  was  a  vast  emigra- 
tion. Both  before  and  after  these  dates  the  move  was  very 
considerable.  Large  numbers  of  slaves  were  sent  to  raise 
cotton  on  the  fertile  lands  of  the  southwest.  By  the  year 
1870  the  tide  of  emigration  was  turned,  and  the  best  element 
poured  into  Mecklenburg  from  all  directions.  Charlotte  and 
the  suburbs, has  a  population  now  estimated  at  35,000.  The 
rapid  growth  is  not  of  the  boom  character,  but  it  is  solid. 
She  is  constantly  lengthening  her  cords  and  strengthening 
her  stakes,  and  bids  fair  to  be  one  of  the  largest  inland  cities 
of  our  Southland.  Why  should  our  city  not  be  an  empo- 
rium ?  No  city  or  town,  has  a  finer  back  country  to  draw 
from.  The  county  is  full  of  gold  and  copper  and  iron  ores. 
One  of  the  three  metals  can  be  found  on  every  mile  of  ter- 
ritory, and  in  many  places  in  quantities  that  will  pay  to 
work.  The  company  now  engaged  in  extracting  the  gold 
from  the  sands  of  the  Catawba  river  have  certainly  got  a 
bonanza  that  pays  the  company  most  handsomely. 

Scarcely  a  farm  in  the  county  but  what  has  unmistakable 
signs  of  gold,  copper  or  iron.  This  is  an  inviting  field  for 
an  expert,  and  awaits  his  coming  with  much  solicitude. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  383 

HOW  MECKLENBURG  HAS  SUFFERED. 

For  the  last  fifty  3  ears  this  county  has  offered  advantages 
to  the  educated  classes  that  other  sections  of  the  State  have 
not  been  able  to  compete  with  in  all  the  different  branches  of 
learning.  Her  schools  have  attracted  many  learned  indi- 
viduals who  have  given  us  of  their  store  of  useful  knowl- 
edge, but  they  have  tried  to  rob  us  oi  our  priceless  treasure, 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775. 
We  have  a  large  population  of  learned  preachers,  lawyers 
and  scientific  men  who  deny  the  truth  of  those  immortal 
signers,  notwithstanding  one  was  a  minister  of  the  Gospel 
and  nine  others  were  elders  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
was  witnessed  by  a  great  number  of  the  best  people  in  all 
this  section  of  country;  two,  if  not  more  of  the  witnesses, 
v/ere  young  men  who  achieved  a  reputation  for  patriot- 
ism and  learning,  coextensive  with  the  State,  Maj.  Gen. 
Joseph  Graham  and  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter.  These  were 
conspicuous  figures  who  were  present  at  the  meeting  of  the 
great  committee  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775.  It  is  strange 
that  men,  not  of  our  State,  not  of  Mecklenburg  county, 
should  move  here  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of  our  county, 
reap  the  magnificent  rewards  as  teachers  in  our  schools  and 
colleges,  fill  pulpits  of  our  churches,  occupy  exalted  places 
in  our  courts  and  legislature,  and  then  deny  the  chiefest  dia- 
dem in  our  crown  of  liberty  and  independence.  "He  who 
steals  my  purse  steals  tragh;  'twas  mine,  'tis  his,  and  has 
been  slave  to  thousands;  but  he  who  filches  from  me  my 
good  name,  robs  me  of  that  which  enriches  him  not,  but 
leaves  me  poor  indeed." 

North  Carolina  has  been  regarded  as  a  "strip  of  land 
lying  between  two  States,"  fit  only  to  furnish  material  for 
history,  that  may  garland  the  brows  of  her  sisters.  Vir- 
ginia and  South  Carolina  have  enough  to  be  proud  of,  and 
we  would  be  unworthy  of  our  illustrious  ancestors  if  we 
would  tamely  submit  to  such  robbery,  while  we  have  such 
abundant  proof  of  all  the  facts  ever  claimed,  to  establish  the 


384  HISTORY   OF 

validity  of  the  memorable  declaration  put  forth  on  the  20th 
of  May,  1775.  Many  persons,  natives  of  other  States,  who 
have  found  a  home  within  the  bounds  of  Mecklenburg,  are 
not  willing  for  us  to  hold  that  which  belongs  to  us  not  only 
by  right  of  inheritance,  but  by  priority  of  date.  Before 
1819  not  a  whisper  was  heard  against  Mecklenburg  being 
the  birthplace  of  liberty,  but  now  we  see  men  in  every  walk 
of  life  who  have  an  itching  desire  to  tarnish  the  honors  of 
Mecklenburg's  old  heroes,  rather  than  accord  the  dues  to 
whom  they  belong.  Strangers  have  shown  a  strong  desire 
to  write  a  history  of  the  county,  but  for  reasons  not  given, 
their  works  have  never  seen  the  light. 


APPENDIX. 


Extra.ct  From  Lynva-n  Draper's  Notes. 

Signers  of  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence. 

GEN.   THOMAS   POLK. 

The  original  names  of  the  ancestors  of  the  Polks  of  Meck- 
lenburg- was  Muirhead,  whence  it  was  changed  to  Pulloak, 
then  to  Pollock — which  by  obvious  transition,  assumed  its 
present — as  is  evident  by  the  will  of  Magdalen  Polk,  dated 
1723,  preserved  among  the  records  of  the  Orphans'  Court 
of  Summerset  County,  j\Id. 

The  traditions  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans  were  not  more 
quaint  and  curious  as  to  the  origin  of  their  heroes  than  are 
those  of  many  of  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  who  early 
migrated  to  the  New  World.  The  Polks  have  had  handed 
down  to  them  a  tradition  running  in  this  wise: 

On  a  certain  great  occasion,  a  way  back  in  tlie  misty  past, 
a  king  of  Scotland  was  marching  at  the  head  of  an  immense 
procession,  when  a  small  oak  shrub  appeared  directly  in  front 
of  his  majesty,  to  which  one  of  the  king's  attendants,  by  the 
name  of  Muirhead,  a  man  of  great  physical  strength,  sprang 
forward,  and  with  a  Herculean  effort,  tore  it  up  by  the  roots 
and  bore  it  out  of  the  way.  Such  an  act  of  gallantry 
prompted  the  king  to  order  a  halt,  when  he  knighted  Muir- 
head upon  the  spot,  and  changed  his  name  to  Pulloak — 
pull-oak.  Another  tradition  is  related  of  the  same  person. 
An  enormous  size  and  vicious  wild  boar  inhabited  that  re- 
gion, a  terror  to  all  who  came  within  his  range.  A  reward 
was  offered  by  the  king  to  any  one  who  would  rid  the  coun- 
try of  the  dreaded  monster.  Pulloak  determined  to  try  it 
single-handed.    Armed  only  with  a  bow  and  arrows,  he  sal- 


386  HISTORY    OF 

lied  forth  on  the  dangerous  adventure.  One  version  of  the 
story  is  that  w^hen  the  wild  boar  discovered  his  pursuer,  he 
rushed  towards  the  bold  hunter,  who  climbed  an  oak  tree, 
and  from  its  branches  he  shot  the  fierce  animal.  Another 
version  of  the  story  is  that,  pursued  by  the  enraged  boar, 
Pulloak  sprang  through  an  old  church  window,  the  boar 
after  him ;  but  Pulloak  instantly  darted  out  of  the  door  and 
shut  it  quickly,  and  managed  to  close  the  window,  and  then 
quietly  returned  home.  His  neighbors  were  not  a  little 
surprised  at  his  safe  return.  In  response  to  their  expressions 
of  astonishment,  he  effected  equal  surprise,  saying  with  non- 
chalance, truly  a  bit  of  a  pig  had  the  hardihood  to  run  at 
him,  when  he  seized  it  by  the  tail  and  threw  it  into  the  church 
window,  where  they  might  go  and  satisfy  themselves  of  the 
fact.  At  length  some  of  the  more  courageous  of  the  number 
sallied  forth  to  see  the  game  of  the  forester,  and  were  aston- 
ished beyond  measure  when  they  discovered  the^'bit  of  a  pig" 
was  none  other  than  the  dreaded  wild  boar  for  whose  taking 
off  the  king  had  offered  the  large  reward.  Some  of  those 
present  argued  that  Pulloak  was  more  than  a  Sampson,  and 
must  have  been  imbued  with  supernatural  aid.  And  as  an 
-additional  evidence  of  his  fearlessness,  he  boldly  advanced, 
and  shot  the  enraged  animal  through  one  of  the  windows. 

The  hero  of  the  exploit,  as  the  tradition  goes,  kept  his 
own  counsel  and  it  was  many  a  long  year  before  he  saw  fit 
to  divulge  the  manner  of  his  getting  sodangerous  a  beast  into 
the  church  alone  and  single  handed.  The  coat  of  arms  of  the 
Polk  family  is  no  doubt  derived  from  the  latter  tradition — 
"Polloak,  Bar't,  Scotch;  a  boar,  passant,  pierced  by  an  ar- 
row." Motto:  Audacter  et  strenne — Boldly  and  readily. 
The  boar  is  represented  with  elevated  bristles  and  angered 
mien,  transfixed  with  an  arrow. 

To  aid  in  ameliorating  the  natural  turbulence  of  the  Irish 
character,  James  I.  encouraged  a  large  emigration  into  Ire- 
land, and  among  those  who  settled  in  that  part  of  Ulster 
known  as  Donnegal,  was  the  family  of  Pollocks.  Robert,  a 
son  of  the  elder  Pollock,  took  an  active  part  in  the  wars 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  387 

against  Charles  I.  and  fought  side  by  side  with  Cromwell 
against  the  Royalists,  under  Rupert.  The  powder-horn 
worn  by  Robert  Pollock  during  the  civil  wars  is  now  in  pos- 
session of  Col.  W.  H.  Pollock. 

Returning  home  he  married  Margarette  Tasker,  the 
widow  of  Col.  Porter,  and  heiress  of  Mo,  a  beautiful  estate 
near  the  town  of  Gififoard;  whose  father,  Col.  Porter,  a 
chancellor  of  Ireland,  had  been  an  eminent  man  in  his  day. 

Robert  and  Magdaline  Pollock  reared  six  sons  and  two 
daughters.  The  father  and  sons  obtained  grants  of  land  in 
Maryland  from  Lord  Baltimore.  John  Pollock,  or  Polk — 
the  eldest  son — in  1685,  settled  at  a  place  called  Locust 
Hammock,  in  Summerset  county,  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
Maryland.  Thither  parents  and  children  migrated  at  an 
early  period,  and  became  prominent  and  useful  settlers  in 
the  colony. 

John  Polk,  who  first  married  and 

for  his  second  wife  Joanna  Knox,  died  in  1707,  leaving  two 
children,  William  and  Nancy. 

William,  Priscilla,  Robert  and  Thomas  Polk,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  and  the  eldest  of  eight  children,  was  born  in 
Summerset  county,  Maryland,  about  1730.  His  father 
moved  to  the  neighborhood  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county, 
in  1750,  then  a  newly  settled  region  of  Pennsylvania,  fast 
filling  up  with  hardy  Scotch-Irish  emigrants. 

Thomas  Polk's  early  educational  advantages  must  have 
been  quite  respectable  for  that  day,  since  he  fitted  himself 
for  the  occupation  of  surveyor;  and  on  attaining  the  age  of 
manhood,  and  learning  of  the  new  settlement  along  the  Ca- 
tawba Valley,  since  known  as  Mecklenburg,  he  directed  his 
course  thither,  about  the  commencement  of  the  border  trou- 
ble of  i754-'55,  the  Indian  outbreak  incited  by  French 
infiuence  extending  from  the  frontiers  of  New  Hampshire  to 
the  back  settlements  of  the  Carolinas. 

Thomas  Spratt  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  man  who 
moved  his  family  on  wheels  across  the  Yadkin,  stopping  a 
while  on  Rocky  river,  and  then  settling  within  the  present 


388  HISTORY    OF 

limits  of  Charlotte.  Thomas  Polk,  when  he  arrived  at 
Thomas  Spratt's,  had  only  a  knapsack  on  his  back  and  a 
goodly  share  of  indomitable  enterprise.  He  soon  married 
Susanna  Spratt,  the  daughter  of  this  early  settler,  and  their 
son,  William,  who  distinguished  himself  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  county  in  1758.  During  the 
period  of  1756  to  1760,  there  were  some  Indian  troubles  on 
the  Catawba  and  Yadkin  frontiers ;  and  it  may  well  be  sup- 
posed that  Thomas  Polk  here  learned  some  of  those  lessons 
of  bravery  and  leadership  which  he  displayed  so  creditably 
during  the  subsequent  years  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
characteristics  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Mecklenburg  are  well 
described  by  an  aged  native  of  that  region,  whose  clear  mem- 
ory reaches  back  into  the  close  of  the  last  century.  They 
were,  he  says,  strong  in  body,  strong  in  mind,  brave,  and 
patriotic. 

They  were  driven  by  persecution  from  Scotland  and  Ire- 
land, and  were  called  Scotch-Irish. 

They  were  determined  to  have  liberty  or  have  death.  They 
lived  far  from  market  and  had  few  luxuries.  Those  who 
could  afford  it  had  coffee  for  breakfast  on  Sunday  morning, 
before  they  went  to  church,  but  at  no  other  time.  Though 
they  lived  plainly,  they  lived  abundantly.  The  land  was 
rich,  producing  all  manner  of  grain,  stock  always  plenty  and 
always  fat.  The  women  were  the  best  of  cooks;  no  negroes 
then;  no  cotton,  no  drunkards,  no  thieves;  no  locks  on  dwell- 
ings, corn  crib  or  smokehouses.  The  hardest  time  of  the 
year  was  to  harvest  their  crops.  Then  all  through  winter 
they  had  little  to  do  but  to  attend  their  stock,  pay  and  re- 
ceive visits.    Happy  days ! 

Thomas  Polk  was  originally  a  surveyor,  says  Dr.  Johnson 
in  his  traditions  of  the  revolution  in  the  Southwestern  part 
of  North  Carolina;  his  education  was  not  acquired  within 
the  classic  walls  of  a  college,  but  partially  obtained  at  in- 
tervals from  his  occupations  in  hills,  valleys  and  forests  of 
the  province. 

Then  he  became  universally  known  and  respected,  no  man 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  389 

possessing  more  influence  in  that  part  of  North  CaroHna. 
As  early  as  1770  he  was  one  of  the  two  representatives 
of  Mecklenburg  county  in  the  popular  house  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, and  in  June,  1772,  he  was  employed  by  Gov.  Martin  as 
surveyor  in  running  the  western  extension  of  the  boundary 
line  between  North  and  South  Carolina.  As  indicative  of 
the  independent  spirit  of  the  people  in  opposing  royal  en- 
croachments on  their  rights,  the  popular  house  in  February, 
i772)^  refused  to  vote  an  appropriation  of  £172  los.to  pay  the 
claim  of  surveyor  for  running  the  line,  even  though  so  popu- 
lar a  man  of  the  people,  and  a  former  member  of  the  house, 
a<  Capt.  Polk,  contending  that  the  previous  Assembly  had 
expressed  its  sense  of  injury  that  accrued  to  the  colony  by 
fixing  the  line  as  proposed  by  the  Governor. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  Thomas  Polk  was 
the  colonel  of  the  militia,  and  the  most  popular  man  in  Meck- 
lenburg, and  all  his  influence  was  exerted  in  behalf  of  the 
popular  cause. 

It  is  apparent  from  Jones'  defense  of  the  Revolutionary 
history  of  North  Carolina,  and  from  the  statements  of  some 
of  the  aged  men  with  reference  to  the  Mecklenburg  resolves 
of  May  20,  1775,  that  he  had  the  principal  agency  in  calling 
the  convention  of  which  he  was  a  conspicuous  member  and 
popular  leader  of  the  people.  Foote  adds  that  he  was  well 
known  and  well  acquainted  in  the  surrounding  counties,  a 
man  of  great  excellence  and  merited  popularity.  He  was  also 
one  of  the  Mecklenburg  members  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
that  held  sessions  atHillsboro  during  August  and  September, 
1775,  and  served  on  important  committees — one  to  prepare 
a  plan  for  the  regulation  of  internal  peace,  order,  and  safety 
of  the  Province.  On  September  9,  1775,  he  was  appointed 
by  the  Provincial  Congress  colonel  of  the  militia  of  Meck- 
lenburg, and  in  November  and  December  following,  marched 
at  the  head  of  six  companies,  aggregating  three  hundred 
men,  into  the  Southeastern  part  of  South  Carolina  to  aid  in 
suppressing  an  outbreak  of  the  Tories  in  that  quarter.  Some 
300  pounds  of  powder  was  supplied  by  the  authorities  of 


390  HISTORY    OF 

North  Carolina  for  the  use  of  his  troops  against  the  insur- 
gents near  Ninety-Six.  It  was  a  hard  service  with  some 
fighting.  The  Tories  were  subdued  and  many  made  pris- 
oners, and  in  consequence  of  a  heavy  snow  fall,  it  was  called 
the  snow  campaign.  This  service  was  all  the  more  credita- 
ble since  it  was  to  serve  a  neighboring  Province  in  suppress- 
ing a  dangerous  insurrection,  and  Col.  Richardson,  the 
South  Carolina  commander,  was  directed  to  take  Col.  Polk's 
men  into  the  pay  of  the  colony  for  the  expedition,  and  ten- 
der them  the  thanks  of  the  South  Carolina  Council  of  Safety 
with  the  assurance  that  "the  serA-ice  of  those  good  neigh- 
bors" would  ever  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

In  December,  while  absent  on  this  service,  he  was  ap- 
pointed colonel  of  the  Second  of  the  two  regiments  of  Minute 
Men,  ordered  to  be  raised  in  the  district  of  Salisbury,  com- 
posed of  Rowan,  Mecklenburg,  Tryon  and  Surry  counties. 
He  had  been  but  a  brief  period  returned  from  South  Caro- 
lina when  he  was  called  to  lead  his  regiment  against  the  Tory 
Highlanders  on  the  Cape  Fear  in  Februar)^,  ^77^,  and  reach- 
ing Cross  Creek,  now  Fayetteville,  received  intelligence  of 
the  decisive  victory  of  Caswell  and  Lillingtoii  over  the  in- 
surgents, and  returned  home. 

In  April,  he  was  recommended  by  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress to  the  command  of  the  Fourth  of  the  six  Continental 
regiments,  which  the  Continental  Congress  confirmed  early 
in  May ;  and  the  same  month  he  was  ordered  with  his  regi- 
ment to  join  Gen.. Moore  at  Cape  Fear.  The  six  Continental 
regiments  finally  rendezvoused  at  Wilmington,  from  which 
at  least  a  portion  were  ordered  in  June  to  the  defence  of 
Charleston,  Polk's  regiment  being  of  the  number.  But  a 
single  regiment  of  the  North  Carolinians,  Clarke's,  appears 
to  have  had  any  active  part  in  repelling  the  enemy  from 
Charleston.  This  service  ended,  the  North  Carolina  Conti- 
nentals seem  to  have  returned  to  their  old  camp  at  Wilming- 
ton, and  drilled  and  perfected  themselves  during  the  sum-. 
nier  and  autumn,  when  they  were  marched  into  South  Caro- 
lina. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  39I 

In  February,  1777,  Francis  Nash,  who  had  just  been 
promoted  to  a  brigadier,  was  ordered  by  the  Continental 
Congress  to  use  his  influence  in  the  western  part  of  North 
Carolina  to  stimulate  the  filling  up  of  the  Continental  regi- 
ments, and  march  the  ensuing  month  to  join  Gen.  Washing- 
ton, 

Major  William  Lee  Davidson,  of  Polk's  regiment, 
marched  with  the  North  Carolina  line,  but  it  is  not  apparent 
that  Col.  Polk  himself  engaged  in  the  service.  It  is  probable 
that  inasmuch  as  the  Continental  regiments  were  deficient 
in  numbers,  there  were  only  enough  of  Polk's  to  form  a 
major's  command. 

From  this  time  to  the  fall  of  Charleston,  in  May,  1780, 
was  comparatively  a  quiet  period  in  North  Carolina. 

In  1777  Liberty  Hall  Academy  was  established  in  Char- 
lotte on  grounds  and  improvements  purchased  by  Col.  Polk, 
and  he  was  made  one  of  the  trustees.  Thus  were  means  for 
public  education  provided  and  sustained,  until  the  institution 
was  suspended  by  the  subsequent  British  invasion  of  the 
country.  In  1780,  Col.  Polk  had  troops  at  Charlotte  guard- 
ing the  public  magazines,  which  were  removed  when  the  en- 
emy approached  in  September  of  the  same  year.  He  acted 
a?  Commissary  General  of  supplies  both  for  the  North 
Carolina  troops  and  the  Continentals  under  Gen.  Yates  (Lee 
Paper  N.  Y.  Hist,  Society,  p,  145),  and  there  was  some  com- 
plaint for  inattention  to  duty  on  his  part  in  his  important 
office,  which  he  explained  upon  the  ground  of  scarcity  of 
supplies  and  necessary  attention  to  his  family. 

Col,  Alexander  Martin,  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of 
War,  to  which  Col,  Polk  was  amenable,  having  visited  the 
army  of  Mecklenburg,  declares  in  a  public  letter  recorded  in 
the  journal  of  the  board,  that  in  his  opinion  Col.  Polk  had 
fulfilled  the  duties  of  his  office  as  well  as  circumstances 
would  admit. 

During  Cornwallis'  occupancy  of  the  country.  Col.  Polk 
had  necessarily  to  retire  from  Charlotte,  and  his  residence 
became  the  headquarters  of  the  British  general.     An  origi- 


392  HISTORY    OF 

na]  letter  written  by  him  at  this  period  to  the  North  Carolina 
Board  of  War  is  in  possession  of  Col.  J.  H.  Wheeler,  viz. : 

"Camp  Yadkin  River,  Oct.  ii,  1780. 
"Gentlemen  : — I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that 
on  Saturday  last  the  noted  Col.  Ferguson,  with  150  men, 
fell  on  King's  Mountain; 800  taken  prisoners,  with  150  stand 
of  arms.  Cleveland  and  Campbell  commanded.  Glorious 
affair.  In  a  few  days  doubt  not  we  shall  be  in  Charlotte,  and 
I  will  take  possession  of  my  house  and  his  lordship  take  the 
v/oods. 

I  am  gentlemen,  with  respect, 

Your  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Poek." 

How  such  a  man  as  Col.  Polk  should  have  been  under  a 
cloud  of  distrust  even  for  a  short  time,  as  Lossing  states,  is 
a  little  marvelous;  yet  some  mischief-making  person  must 
have  invented  a  "suspicion  that  he  had  accepted  oi  protection 
from  the  British,"  and  reported  it  to  Gates,  who  turned  from 
his  late  defeat  and  the  recent  treachery  of  Arnold,  readily 
surmised  "suspicious  circumstances"  and  ordered  Col.  Polk 
to  .Salisbury  to  answer  for  his  conduct.  So  utterly  baseless 
were  those  cruel  suspicions  that  they  were  promptly  dis- 
missed, and  Col.  Polk  was  continued  in  his  double  office  of 
Commissary  General  of  provisions  for  the  State  of  North 
Carolina  and  commissary  of  purchases  for  the  Continental 
troops.  The  very  first  night  that  Gen.  Greene,  having  suc- 
ceeded Gates,  passed  at  headquarters  early  in  December,  he 
spent  with  Col.  Polk  in  studying  the  resources  of  the  coun- 
try, and  by  "the  following  morning,"  said  Polk  to  Elkanah 
Watson,  "he  better  understood  them  than  Gates  had  done 
during  the  whole  period  of  his  command."  The  Mecklen- 
burg region  had  been  the  granary  of  provisions  for  the 
Americans  for  the  whole  season,  and  for  the  British  for  a 
short  season,  the  latter  demanding  heavy  supplies;  accord- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  393 

ing  to  Stedman,  their  Commissary  General    demanding-  lOO 
cattle  per  day. 

The  country  was,  therefore,  so  much  exhausted  that  Col. 
Polk,  who  still  acted  as  commissary  from  patriotic  motives, 
declared  that  it  could  scarcely  afford  subsistance  for  a  single 
week.  It  was  with  regret  that  Gen.  Greene  learned  from  him 
that  many  reasons  conspired,  rendering  it  necessary  for  him 
to  relinquish  the  office.  "I  am  now  too  far  advanced  in  years 
to  undergo  the  task  and  fatigue  of  a  Commissary  General," 
wrote  Polk  to  Greene  on  December  loth.  On  the  same  day 
Greene  wrote  to  Col.  Wm.  R.  Davie  inviting  him  to  that 
position,  saying  "Col.  Polk  finds  the  business  of  subsisting 
the  army  too  laborious  and  difficult  for  him  to  conduct,  and, 
therefore,  has  sent  in  his  resignation  to  the  Board  of  War, 
but  the  greatest  difficulty  with  him  is.  he  cannot  leave 
home  owing  to  the  peculiar  state  of  his  family."  Dr.  John- 
son has  presented  in  his  traditions  of  the  Revolution  the  fol- 
lowing letter : 

''Camp  Charlotte,  Dec.  15,  1780. 
"To  Col.  Polk: 

Sir  : — I  find  it  will  be  impossible  to  leave  camp  as  early 
as  I  intended,  as  Col.  Kascius  has  made  no  report  respecting 
a  position  upon  Pee  Dee.  I  must,  therefore,  beg  you  to  con- 
tinue the  daily  supplies  of  the  army,  and  keep  in  readiness 
three  days'  provisions  beforehand.  I  have  just  received 
some  intelligence  from  Gov.  Nash  and  from  Congress  which 
makes  me  wish  to  see  you.  I  am,  etc., 

"Nathan  Greene." 

There  is  proof  that  Gen.  Greene  had  such  unlimited  con- 
tidence  in  Col.  Polk  that  he  wished  to  confide  in  him  intelli- 
gence th^t  he  did  not  wish  to  write.  Before  retiring  from 
r.e'vice  on  Gen.  Greene's  appeal,  he  exerted  himself  to  pro- 
cure lumber  for  the  barracks  at  the  new  position  selected  for 
the  army  on  Hicks'  creek  nearly  opposite  Cheraw  Hill,  on 
the  Pee  Dee ;  to  build  boats  for  the  transportation  of  stores : 


394  HISTORY    OF 

to  collect  provisions,  and  do  everything  that  could  be  done 
to  enable  the  new  commander  to  prepare  his  men  for  the 
active  duties  of  the  coming  campaign. 

Gen.  Greene's  letters  evince  a  high  appreciation  of  Col. 
Polk's  service,  and  a  still  higher  evidence  of  his  confidence 
in  his  skill  and  patriotism  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that 
upon  the  fall  of  the  gallant  Gen.  Davidson,  early  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1 78 1,  Greene*  appointed  Polk  to  fill  the  vacancy  on 
the  recommendation  of  the  officers  of  the  brigade  as  the 
fittest  person  for  the  important  position  among  all  the  many 
patriotic  soldiers  of  Mecklenburg. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Guilford,  it 
was  thought  Cornwallis  would  retrace  his  steps  by  the  way 
of  Salisbury  and  Charlotte,  so  as  to  keep  open  the  communi- 
cation and  act  in  concert  with  Lord  Rowdon  at  Camden; 
and  as  the  citizens  of  that  section  had  already  experienced 
the  distress  of  the  presence  of  the  British  soldiers,  they  de- 
termined to  do  their  best  to  keep  the  enemy  at  a  distance. 

Gen.  Polk  accordingly  ordered  out  the  next  division  of 
militia  liable  for  duty,  with  a  view  of  marching  to  Salisbury 
to  fortify  the  fords  and  passes  on  the  Yadkin,  but  before 
reaching  there  intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
were  directing  their  course  towards  Fayetteville,  when  Col. 
Polk  dismissed  his  men  and  returned. 

Gen.  Greene  re-entered  South  Carolina  in  April,  taking 
position  before  Camden.  He  called  upon  North  Carolina 
for  a  draft  of  three  months'  men,  when  Col.  Polk  exerted 
himself  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  occasion,  and  led  a  con- 
siderable force  of  his  cotuitrymen,  and  joined  Greene  at 
Rugeley's  Mills  shortly  after  the  battle  at  Hobkirk's  Hill, 
and  remained  in  that  border  region,  watching  and  checking 
the  British  and  Tories  in  both  Carolinas,  until  the  expira- 
tion of  the  term  of  service  for  which  his  men  Jiad  been 
drafted.  This  appears  to  have  been  Col.  Polk's  last  mili- 
tary service.  Gov.  Graham  well  observes  that  when  placed 
in  command  as  Brigadier  General,  "in  all  after,  as  in  prior 
times,  he  was  regarded  as  an  unwavering  patriot." 


MKCKLENBURG   COUNTY.  395 

Gen.  Polk  now  retired  to  private  life,  which  with  his  ad- 
vancing- years,  he  yearned  to  enjoy.  After  Rutherford's  ex- 
pedition in  the  antmnn  of  1781,  in  pursuit  of  a  body  of 
Tories  under  McNeil  and  other  Tory  leaders,  peace  was 
practically  restored  in  North  Carolina. 

He  owned  mills  two  miles  south  of  Charlotte,  and  kept  a 
store  in  the  village,  and  was  now  enabled  to  give  his  un- 
divided time  to  his  private  affairs. 

Elkanah  Watson,  in  his  "Men  and  Times  of  the  Revolu- 
tion," who  visited  Charlotte  in  1785,  states:  "I  carried  let- 
ters to  the  courteous  Gen.  Polk,  and  remained  two  days  at 
his  residence  in  the  delightful  society  of  his  charming  fam- 
ily." 

After  the  war,  when  the  disbanded  soldiers  of  the  North 
Carolina  line  received  their  land  warrants  in  payment  for 
their  military  services.  Gen.  Polk  purchased  many  of  these 
warrants  and  went,  early  in  1786,  with  his  four  sons,  armed 
with  their  rifles,  into  the  wilderness  of  Duck  River  county, 
in  Middle  Tennessee,  to  locate  them,  Col.  Wm.  Polk  having 
been  chosen  in  1793  one  of  the  principal  surveyors.  Re- 
suming his  original  profession  of  surveyor,  Gen.  Polk 
selected  the  finest  lands  in  that  rich  valley,  ran  the  line, 
marked  them,  and  secured  the  titles,  notwithstanding  the 
hostility  of  the  Indians.  So  when  he  died  in  1793,  he  left 
a  rich  inheritance  in  lands  for  his  children.  "He  was,"  says 
Dr.  J.  G.  Ramsey,  "a  high-souled  cavalier,  full  of  dash  and 
courage;  rich,  hospitable,  and  charming."  Dr.  Johnson  re- 
lates that  several  of  his  children  were  wild  and  frolicksome 
— one  bore  the  sobriquet  of  "Devil  Charley" — ;  that  on  one 
occasion  the  General  was  speaking  of  the  boldness  of  single 
highway  robbery,  and  declared  that  no  single  man  would 
dare  make  such  an  attempt  on  him.  The  sons  all  heard  it, 
and  Charley  resolved  to  have  his  fun,  even  at  his  father's  ex- 
pense. So  when  his  father  was  returning  on  a  by-road  with 
a  sum  of  money  he  had  been  collecting,  the  reckless  son,  dis- 
guised, waylaid  him  in  a  creek  bottom  and  demanded  the  in- 
stant delivery  of  his  money.     The  General's  first  thought 


396  HISTORY    OF 

was  to  snatch  up  his  pistols,  but  Charles  was  too  quick  for 
him,  and  seeing  a  pistol,  as  he  supposed,  presented  at  his 
breast,  the  father  gave  up  his  money  and  returned  home  not 
a  little  fretted  and  mortified  at  the  result.  Perceiving  his 
depression  of  spirits,  the  young  men  enquired  into  the  cause 
and  offered  their  aid  in  any  difficulties.  He  frankly  told 
them  he  had  been  robbed  of  such  a  sum  of  money,  designat- 
ing the  place.  They  all  expressed  surprise,  and  enquired  if 
he  were  not  armed.  He  acknowledged  that  he  had  his  pis- 
tols, but  had  not  had  time  to  use  them.  When  they  con- 
cluded that  there  must  have  been  several  highwaymen  banded 
together  to  have  effected  their  purpose,  he,  with  increased 
mortification,  confessed  that  there  was  but  one;  but  added 
that  he  was  off  his  guard,  and  was  taken  by  surprise.  Charles 
at  this  point  returned  the  money,  acknowledging  that  he  had 
taken  it  from  him.  "What!"  exclaimed  the  General,  "Did 
you  endanger  your  father's  life?"  "No,  sir,"  said  Charles. 
"What,  did  you  not  present  a  pistol  at  my  breast?"  "No, 
sir,"  replied  the  son.  "How  can  you  say  that?"  asked  the 
father.  "I  assure  you,  sir,  it  was  only  my  mother's  brass 
candlestick  that  I  took  oft"  from  your  own  mantlepiece." 

Of  Col.  Polk's  three  daughters,  Margaret  married  Dr. 
Ephraim  Brevard,  whose  name  is  so  intimately  associated 
with  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  and  famous  resolves  of 
INlay  20,  1775.  She  died  early  and  left  an  only  daughter, 
Margaret  Polk,  who  became  the  wife  of  Nathaniel  Alexan- 
der, a  native  of  Mecklenburg,  who  graduated  at  Princeton  in 
1776,  and  after  studying  medicine,  entered  the  army,  served 
in  the  House  o^f  Commons  in  1797,  in  the  State  Senate  in 
1801  and  t8o2,  and,  while  holding  a  seat  in  Congress  in 
i8o3-'5,  he  was  chosen  by  the  Legislature  Governor  of  the 
State, 'serving  two  years.  Pie  died  at  Charlotte  November  8, 
1808,  at  the  age  of  52  years,  leaving  no  children.  Gen. 
Polk's  third  daughter  married  a  man  named  Brown,  leaving 
no  issue. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  397 

CHAPTER  II. 

COE.  ABRAHAM  ALEXANDER. 

The  Alexanders  were  very  numerous  at  the  time  of  the 
Revolution  and  since  in  Mecklenburg",  and  although  of  the 
same  original  Scotch-Irish  stock,  they  were  of  different  de- 
grees of  consanguinity.  Hezekiah  and  John  McKnitt  Alex- 
ander were  brothers;  while  Abraham,  Adam,  Charles  and 
Ezra  Alaxander  were  their  cousins.  (See  Mans.  Letters  of 
Dr.  J.  G.  M.  Ramsay,  October  2,  1875.) 

Foote  relates  that,  among  Presbyterian  emigrations  from 
Scotland  to  Ireland,  to  escape  persecution  for  conscience's 
sake,  during  the  period  between  1610  and  1688,  there  were 
seven  brothers  bearing  the  same  name  of  Alexander. 

But  their  grievances  increasing  a  few  years  preceding  the 
Revolution  of  1688,  their  ministers  imprisoned  for  holding 
fasts,  the  Alexanders  resolved  to  seek  quiet  and  repose  in 
the  New  World.  On  the  eve  of  their  departure,  they  sent 
to  Scotland  for  their  old  preacher  to  baptize  their  children 
and  administer  to  them  the  consolations  of  the  Gospel.  The 
faithful  and  fearless  preacher  arrived  in  time  to  meet  the 
friends  on  the  vessel  on  which  they  had  embarked,  and  there 
held  becoming  religious  services.  An  armed  company  now 
came  on  board,  broke  up  the  meeting  and  lodged  the  minis- 
ter in  jail.  Towards  night  an  old  matron  addressed  her 
kinsman :  "Men  gang  ye  away  tak'  our  minister  out  o'  the 
jail,  and  tak'  him,  guide  soule,  wi'  us  till  Ameriky."  Her 
commands  had  never  been  disobeyed.  Before  morning  the 
minister  was  on  board  and  the  vessel  had  proceeded  on  its 
voyage.  The  minister  having  no  family,  cheerfully  con- 
sented to  the  arrangement,  and  with  joy  and  thanksgiving 
they  landed  safely  on  Manhattan.  Part  of  the  company  re- 
mained there,  from  whom  it  is  related  Wm.  Alexander, 
commonly  known  as  Lord  Sterling,  a  Major  General  of  the 
Revolution,  descended.  The  others  took  up  their  abode  for 
a  time  in  New  Jersey ;  then  settled  in  part,  perhaps,  in  Cecil 


398  HISTORY    01^ 

county,  Md.,  and  others  in  Pennsylvania.  There  they 
mingled  with  their  countrymen,  intermarried,  and  their  de- 
scendants in  great  numbers  migrated  to  the  Catawba  country, 
following  the  great  valley  of  Virginia  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland.  This  movement  began  slowly  about  1745, 
and  more  rapidly  from  1750  onward.  Maj.  Thomas  Alex- 
ander and  Dan  Alexander,  both  soldiers  of  the  Revolution, 
were  natives  of  Mecklenburg,  the  former  having  been  born 
in  1753,  the  latter  in  1758.  Abraham  Alexander  was  among 
those  early  emigrants.  He  was  born,  apparently,  in  Cecil 
county,  Md.,  in  171 7,  and  migrated  early  to  the  Catawba 
country ;  soon  attained  a  prominent  position  among  the  pio- 
neer settlers.  He  was  long  a  leading  magistrate  of  his 
county,  and  the  honored  chairman  of  the  Inferior  Court 
both  before  and  during  the  Revolution.  With  Col.  Thomas 
Polk,  he  represented  Mecklenburg  in  the  Assembly  in  1771, 
and  ranked  among  the  leading  Whigs  of  that  day.  He 
seemed,  however,  not  to  have  been  ambitious  for  honor  and 
place,  for  he  declined  at  the  next  election  to  solicit  the  suf- 
frage of  the  people.  He  is  next  found  presiding  at  the  Meck- 
lenburg Convention  of  May  20,  1775,  and  was  active  during 
the  whole  period  of  the  Revolution,  both  as  member  of  the 
Justice  Court  and  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Safety. 
He  was,  in  1777,  appointed  as  one  of  the  original  trustees  of 
Liberty  Hall  Academy,  and  was  for  many  years  an  elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  April  28,  1778,  in  the 
69th  year  of  his  age,  and  his  widow,  Dorcas,  survived  till 
May  28th,  when  she  passed  away  in  her  67th  year,  and  her 
remains  rest  beside  those  of  her  husband  in  the  old  Sugar 
Creek  burial  ground.  They  had  five  sons  and  one  daughter — 
Abraham,  Isaac,  Nathaniel,  Elias  and  Joab.  Isaac  became 
a  distinguished  physician,  and  settled  inCamden,  S.  C,  while 
his  brothers  spent  their  days  as  tillers  of  the  soil.  Eliza-- 
beth,  the  sister,  became  the  wife  of  William  Alexander,  son 
of  Hezekiah  Alexander. 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  399 

DR.    EPHRAIM   BREVARD. 

The  earliest  known  Brevard  was  a  French  Huguenot, 
leaving  his  native  land  on  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of 
Nantes,  and  settling  among  the  Scotch-Irish  in  the  northern 
part  of  Ireland,  where  he  formed  an  acquaintance  with  a 
family  of  McKnitts,  in  company  with  whom  he  sailed  for 
America.  Among  the  McKnitt  emigrants  was  a  blooming 
lassie,  who  may  have  had  quite  as  much  to  do  in  attracting 
his  attention  as  the  cheap  lands  and  glowing  accounts  of  the 
New  World.  A  mutual  attachment  sprang  up,  which  even- 
tuated in  marriage.  They  settled  on  the  waters  of  Elk 
River,  Cecil  county,  in  the  northeastern  corner  of  Maryland, 
bordering  on  Pennsylvania.  Five  sons  and  one  daughter 
were  the  issue  of  this  union,  of  whom  John,  Robert,  Zebulon 
and  their  married  sister  and  husband  migrated  to  the  Yad- 
kin and  Catawba  country  about  1747,  and  settled  in  what 
was  subsequently  Rowan,  and  since  Iredell  county. 

Some  years  prior  to  this  removal,  John  Brevard,  the  elder 
of  the  brothers,  had  married  Jane  McWhirter,  a  sister  of  Dr. 
Alex  McWhirter,  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction,  of  the  adjoin- 
ing county  of  New  Castle,  Delaware;  and  their  fifth  child 
and  eldest  son,  Ephraim,  was  born  in  1744  in  Cecil  county, 
Mar)dand,  and  was  only  about  three  years  old  when  his 
parents  removed  to  the  wilds  of  North  Carolina,  settling  in 
what  subsequently  became  Iredell  county.  While  a  boy  he 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  one  of  his  eyes,  and  after  attend- 
ing a  classical  school  near  his  father's  residence,  he  was  sent, 
on  the  conclusion  of  the  Indian  war  in  1761,  with  his  cousin, 
Adlai  Osborne,  to  attend  a  grammar  school  in  Prince  Ed- 
ward county,  Virginia,  under  William  Capples.  The  young 
men,  with  Thomas  Reese,  entered  Princeton  college  in  1766, 
graduating  in  1768.  Reese  and  Brevard  taught  school  some 
time  in  Maryland,  which  enabled  Brevard  to  put  himself  un- 
der the  tuition  of  Dr.  David  Ramsay,  subsequently  so  cele- 
brated in  civil  life  during  the  Revolution  and  as  an  historian 
after  the  war.     After  pursuing  his  medical  studies   some 


400  HISTORY    OF 

time  in  Philadelphia,  Dr.  Ramsay  removed  to  Somerset 
county,  Maryland.  Brevard  accompanied  him  there,  and 
after  a  due  course  there,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Charlotte.  Possessed  of  more  than  common 
abilities,  well  cultured  under  the  instructions  of  Dr.  With- 
erspoon.  Dr.  Ramsay  and  others,  and  of  prepossessing 
manners,  he  at  once  took  a  prominent  position  and  exerted 
a  large  influence  among  the  Mecklenburg  people.  He  was 
soon  united  in  marriage  with  a  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas 
Polk,  who  died  leaving  him  an  only  daughter.  The  distin- 
guished part  he  acted  in  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of 
May  20,  1775,  as  a  member,  the  secretary,  and  the  reputed 
author  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence 
Resolves  of  May  20,  1775,  will  cause  his  name  to  ever  fill  an 
honored  place  in  the  record  of  Western  Carolina.  Bancroft 
declares  that  his  name  "should  be  remembered  with  honor 
by  his  countrymen"  for  having  "digested  the  system  which 
was  then  adopted  and  formed  in  effect  a  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, as  well  as  a  complete  system  of  government," 
and  Gridsby  pronounces  him  an  exalted  patriot,  and  as  to 
the  record  of  the  Resolves,  that  the  beauty  of  their  diction, 
their  elegant  precision,  the  wide  scope  of  statesmanship 
which  they  exhibit,  prove  incontestibly  that  the  men  who  put 
them  forth  was  worthy  of  their  high  trust  at  the  difficult 
crisis. 

In  February,  1776,  we  find  him  the  tutor  of  the  Queen's 
Museum  Academy,  with  nineteen  young  men  under  him, 
whom  he  led  as  their  captain  in  Col.  Polk's  regiment  in  an 
expedition  against  Scotch  Tories  on  the  Cape  Fear.  How 
long  he  continued  teaching  is  not  known. 

In  1777,  when  Liberty  Hall  Academy  was  organized,  he 
was  one  of  the  original  trustees,  and  his  name  as  such  is 
appended  to  a  degree  given  to  John  Graham  in  1778. 

After  performing  every  duty  to  his  people  befitting  a 
patriot,  he  entered  the  Southern  army  as  a  surgeon,  and  was 
captured  at  the  surrender  of  Charleston  in  May,  1780.  There, 
from  lonsf  confinement  and  unwholesome  diet,  he  was  taken 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  4OI 

sick,  and  when  at  length  set  at  liberty,  he  reached  the  home 
of  his  friend,  John  McKnitt Alexander,  where  he  lingered  for 
several  months,  his  disease  baffling  the  best  medical  skill — 
Dr.  William  Read,  Physician  General  to  the  Southern  army, 
visiting  him  from  the  hospital  at  Charlotte.  He  finally 
breathed  his  last  some  time  in  1781,  at  about  the  age  of  37 
years,  and  his  remains  were  buried  beside  those  of  his  wife 
in  Charlotte  on  a  lot  now  occupied  by  the  county  court  house. 
The  particular  place  of  his  interment  is  unknown. 

In  the  language  of  Dr.  Foote,  "He  thought  clearly,  felt 
deeply,  wrote  well,  resisted  bravely,  and  died  a  martyr  to 
tbat  liberty  none  loved  better  and  few  understood  so  well." 
He  was  a  man  of  undoubted  genius  and  talent.  (See  MS. 
Letters  of  Rev.  R.  H.  King  to  Dr.  J.  G.  M.  Ramsay,  April  9, 
1823.)  His  only  daughter,  on  arriving  at  years  of  woman- 
hood, married  a  Dickerson,  settled  at  Camden,  S.  C,  and 
left  one  child,  a  son,  James  Polk  Dickerson,  who  was  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  of  Butler's  regiment  of  South  Carolina  Vol- 
unteers in  the  Mexican  war;  was  severely  wounded  at  the 
siege  of  Vera  Cruz  March  11,  1847;  recovering  from  that, 
he  was  again  badly  wounded  at  Cherubusco  on  the  20th  of 
August  following,  and  died  of  his  wound  three  weeks  later, 
greatly  regretted  by  his  regiment  and  the  whole  army. 

COL.    ADAM    ALEXANDER. 

The  place  of  Col.  A.  Alexander's  birth  is  not  certainly 
known,  but  he  was  possibly  a  native  of  Cecil  county,  Mary- 
land, and  was  born  in  1728.  He  was  among  the  pioneer  set- 
tlers of  Mecklenburg.  He  married  a  Miss  Shelby.  As  early 
as  June,  1770,  we  find  him  a  prominent  member  of  Clear 
Creek  congregation,  and  the  next  year  he  commanded  a  com- 
pany under  Gen.  Waddell  to  aid  in  putting  down  the  Regula- 
tors, who  had  taken  the  law  in  their  own  hands  in  upholding 
the  usurpations  and  extortions  of  Gov.  Tryon's  favorites. 
That  Capt.  Alexander  was  unwilling  to  shed  the  blood  of  his 
oppressed  countrymen  is  readily  seen  by  the  course  he  and 


402  HISTORY    OF 

Other  officers  pursued  in  persuading  Waddell  to  return  from 
their  camp  on  Pott's  creek  across  the  Yadkin,  both  on  ac- 
count of  the  superiority  of  the  insurgents,  and  the  unwilling-- 
ness  of  the  men  to  engage  them,  while  waiting  for  a  convoy 
of  ammunition  under  a  small  guard  from  Charlotte.  A  party 
of  ten  or  twelve,  under  Capt.  William  Alexander,  blackened 
and  disguised,  seized  the  convoy  and  destroyed  the  powder, 
and  ever  after  he  was  known  as  "Black  Billy"  Alexander. 

Capt.  Adam  Alexander,  on  the  day  of  the  nth  of  May, 
immediately  after  uniting  with  his  brother  officers  in  advis- 
ing a  retreat  beyond  the  Yadkin,  went  in  person  and  recon- 
noitered  the  Regulators,  and  returning,  reported  that  he  had 
passed  along  their  lines  and  the  footmen  appeared  to  him  to 
extend  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  seven  or  eight  deep,  and  that  the 
horsemen,  120  yards,  twelve  or  fourteen  deep.  On  the  19th 
Waddell,  with  his  small  force  of  250  men,  was  obliged  to 
retreat  from  his  position,  two  miles  eastward  of  the  Yadkin, 
to  Salisbury,  the  Regulators  having  surrounded  his  party 
and  threatened  to  cut  them  to  pieces  if  they  offered  to  join 
the  main  army  under  Tryon.  But  the  principal  body  of  the 
insurgents  had  been  defeated  on  the  i6th  at  Alamance,  and 
Tryon  marched  with  his  victorious  troops  to  join  Waddell, 
then  entrenched  near  Salisbury,  eight  miles  to  the  eastward 
of  the  Yadkin.  Receiving  intelligence  that  the  Regulators 
in  the  region  embracing  the  present  counties  of  Mecklen- 
burg, Lincoln  and  Iredell  were  meditating  further  hostili- 
ties. Gen.  Waddell  was  sent  into  that  quarter  with  a  strong 
detachment,  including  the  Mecklenburg  troops.  Early  in 
June,  with  orders,  after  he  had  performed  the  service  as- 
signed him,  to  disband  his  troops,  meeting  with  no  opposi- 
tion, he  had  little  to  do  beside  administering  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  the  people.  Adam  Alexander  was  many  years  a 
prominent  magistrate  and  member  of  the  County  Court,  and 
on  May  20,  1775,  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  Mecklen- 
burg Convention.  In  September  following,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Lieutenant  Colonel   of   the   Mecklenburg  "Minute 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  4O3 

Men"'  under  Col.  Polk,  and  served  shortly  after  in  one  of  the 
Snow  Campaigns  against  the  Tories  in  South  Carolina. 

When  the  "Minute  Men"  of  the  Salisbury  district  were,  in 
December,  1775,  formed  into  two  groups,  he  was  re-ap- 
pointed Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Second  regiment  under 
Col.  Polk,  and  marched,  in  February,  1776,  to  aid  in  quell- 
ing the  insurrection  of  the  Highlanders  on  the  Cape  Fear. 

In  the  ensuing  April,  when  Polk  was  chosen  to  command 
one  of  the  Continental  regiments,  Adam  Alexander  suc- 
ceeded him  as  Colonel  of  the  Mecklenburg  regiments.  When 
the  Cherokees  commencel  hostilities  early  in  the  summer  of 
1776,  incited  thereto  by  the  machinations  of  the  enemy,  Col. 
Alexander  led  a  force  to  the  head  of  the  Catawba,  where  he 
served  six  weeks  in  protecting  the  Catawba  Valley  during 
the  harvest,  aad  went  with  his  regiment  under  Gen.  Ruth- 
erford, later  in  the  season,  on  his  expedition  against  the 
treacherous  Cherokees,  destroying  their  crops  and  villages. 

Dr.  Caldwell  refers  to  Col.  Alexander  when  President 
Washington  m.ade  his  Southern  tour  in  1792,  as  "far  ad- 
vanced in  life."  His  death  occurred  in  1798,  at  the  age  of 
70  years,  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  remains  were 
interred  at  Rock  Springs.  Adam  Alexander  was  a  man  of 
military  genius,  remarkably  endowed.  He  was  a  Presbyte- 
rian. 

He  had  four  sons — Evan,  Isaac,  Adam  and  Charles,  and 
one  daughter.  She  married  John  Springs.  All  the  Springs 
of  Mecklenburg,  a  large,  wealthy  and  intelligent  connection, 
are  descendants  of  Col.  Alexander. 

His  son,  Evan  Alexander,  whom  he  sent  to  Princeton  with 
the  hope  that  he  would  enter  the  ministry,  graduated  in 
1787,  became  a  prominent  lawyer  in  Charjotte;  was  two 
years  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  then  representative  in 
Congress  from  1805  to  1809,  and  died  unmarried  October 
28th,  in  the  latter  year. 

Isaac  Alexander  held  various  offices  of  trust  in  the  county, 
while  his  brother  Charles  occupied  the  old  homestead,  mar- 


404  HISTORY   OF 

ried  a  Miss  Means,  and  had  several  talented  sons  who  died 
young. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

GEN.  ROBERT  IRWIN, 

William  Irwin  was  one  of  the  early  Scotch-Irish  set- 
tlers in  West  Pennsboroiigh,  Cumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, a  few  miles  southeast  of  Carlisle.  His  son,  Ro'l> 
ert.  the  eighth  of  thirteen  children,  was  born  August  26, 
1740,  and  was  reared  with  few  advantages  on  his  native 
homestead.  When  his  father  died,  not  long  prior  to 
May,  1763,  the  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  was  pur- 
.cliased  of  the  heirs  at  £15  each,  by  their  elder  brother, 
John  Irwin,  and  with  this  Robert  Irwin  commenced 
life  and  wended  his  way  to  the  Steele  Creek  settle- 
ment in  Mecklenburg.  He  was  soon  after  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mary  Alexander,  daughter  of  Zebulon  Alexan- 
der, an  early  emigrant  from  Pennsylvania.  About  the 
period  of  1767.  Robert  Irwin  was  one  of  the  first  bench  of 
elders  of  Steele  Creek  Church.  ^He  was  one  of  the  members 
of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  in  May,  1775,  and  thence- 
forward proved  himself  one  of  the  active  leaders  of  the 
Mecklenburg  people  during  the  war.  It  is  altogether  prob- 
able he  had  seen  service  during  the  French  and  Indian  war 
on  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania,  for  Col.  Armstrong  led 
many  a  daring  force  against  the  Indians  during  that  period 
from  the  Carlisle  region;  and  more  probably  still  he  was 
employed  against  the  Regulators  in  1771,  and  on  the  Snow 
Campaign  near  the  close  of  1775.  After  having  served  as  a 
member  of  the  North  Carolina  Provincial  Congress  in  April 
and  May,  1776,  he  engaged  in  Gen.  Rutherford's  campaign 
against  the  Cherokees  during  the  summer  and  autumn  of 
that  year.  Returning  from  this  expedition  in  October,  he 
was  rechosen  to  a  seat  in  the  Provincial  Congress,  which  met 
In  November  in  the  double  capacity  of  making  laws  and 
forming  a  new  Constitution.     On  the  death  of  Lieutenant 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  405 

Colonel  Phifer,  he  succeeded  him  in  1777  as  second  in  com- 
mand of  the  Mecklenburg  militia. 

Gen.  Irwin  died  at  his  residence  in  the  Steele  Creek  settle- 
ment, in  Mecklenburg  county, December  23,  1800,  in  his  6ist 
year,  and  was  interred  in  the  Steele  Creek  burial  ground, 
his  wife's  remains  occupying  the  same  grave.  On  his  tomb- 
stone is  engraved  this  beautiful  and  truthful  delineation  of 
his  character:    "Great,  noble,  generous,  good,  and  brave." 

JOHN  m'kNITT  ALEXANDER. 

Little  more  can  be  said  of  Mr.  Alexander  than  has  already 
been  indicated.  Born  in  1733,  in  Pennsylvania,  as  stated  by 
Dr.  Foote,  but  according  to  more  reliable  information,  in 
the  northeastern  portion  of  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  where 
his  father,  James  Alexander,  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  called 
New  Munster,  in  1714,  where,  soon  after  he  married  Marga- 
ret McKnitt,  a  sister  of  John  McKnitt,  an  early  emigrant 
to  the  southern  part  of  the  same  county.  The  father,  James 
Alexander,  remained  in  Maryland,  surviving  till  1779;  but 
his  son,  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  who  had  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship to  a  tailor,  migrated  in  1754,  when  21  years  old, 
to  Mecklenburg  county,  accompanied  by  his  brother,  Heze- 
kiah,  and  sister,  Jemima,  and  her  husband,  Maj.  Thomas 
Sharpe,  also  of  Cecil  county.  In  the  early  days  of  Mecklen- 
burg, when  the  deer  and  buffalo  furnished  not  only  viands 
for  the  table,  but  a  portion  of  apparel  for  the  people,  a 
leather-breeches  maker  was  not  probably  a  sufficiently  profit- 
a:ble  occupation  for  the  enterprising  young  Marylander;  so 
we  soon  find  him  a  land  surveyor  and  a  large  land-holder, 
surveying  and  taking  lands  as  far  away  as  Chester  District, 
in  South  Carolina,  forty  miles  distant.  In  1759,  he  married 
-Jane  Bane,  from  Pennsylvania,  of  the  same  Scotch-Irish 
stock  with  himself,  and  settled  in  the  Hopewell  congrega- 
tion. Enterprising,  shrewd,  and  honorable,  he  prospered  in 
business  and  became  wealthy.  Col.  Wheeler,  in  his 
"Sketches  of  Mecklenburg  Delegates,"  states  that  Mr.  Alex- 


406  HISTORY    OF 

ander  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  in  1772, 
while  Jones'  defence  indicates  that  Martin  Phifer  and  John 
Davidson  were  the  Mecklenburg  representatives  at  that 
time.  But  his  was  a  busy  and  useful  life  in  the  civil  time, 
during  the  Revolutionary  war,  long  and  faithfully  serving  as 
a  magistrate  and  member  of  the  County  Court;  one  of  the 
members  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775; 
the  successor  of  Dr.  Brevard  as  secretary  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Committee  of  Safety,  and  a  representative  in  the  Provincial 
Congress  in  August  and  September,  1775.  The  same  year 
he  visited  Philadelphia,  where  'he  communicated  to  Dr. 
Franklin  the  facts  and  circumstances  of  the  preceding  Meck- 
lenburg Convention,  when  they  were  fresh  in  his  memory, 
who  expressed  his  approbation  of  their  act.  In  April,  1776, 
we  again  find  him  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress;  in 
the  State  Senate  in  1777,  and  the  same  year  chosen  a  trustee 
of  Liberty  Hall  Academy. 

How  Mr.  Alexander  regarded  the  Red  Coats  when  they 
invaded  the  soil  of  Mecklenburg  in  the  fall  of  1780,  may 
best  be  seen  in  the  notice  of  Duncan  Ochiltree.  It  was  a 
high  compliment  to  his  sterling  patriotism  that  Gen.  David- 
son, at  that  period,  named  his  encampment  in  Mecklenburg 
"Camp  McKnitt  Alexander." 

When  Cornwallis  undertook  the  vain  effort  of  endeavor- 
ing to  recover  the  Cowpens  prisoners  from  Morgan,  early  in 
1 78 1,  and  Gen.  Greene  exerted  him.self  to  thwart  his  lord- 
ship's purpose,  Mr.  Alexander,  though  his  age  would  have 
excused  him  from  exposure,  accompanied  Greene  as  a  pilot, 
if  not  a  volunteer  aid,  and  was  actively  employed  in  destroy- 
ing, or  sinking,  ferry  boats  on  the  Yadkin  and  Dan  rivers ; 
and  by  his  zeal  in  the  cause,  his  intimate  knowledge  as  an 
old  surveyor  of  the  topography  of  the  roads,  and  people  of 
the  county,  he  was  able  to  afford  valuable  assistance  as  coun- 
sellor to  the  American  General. 

For  many  years  he  was  a  sturdy  Presbyterian,  an  elder  in  the 
Church,  and  a  prominent  actor  in  all  its  public  convocations. 
During  the  closing  five  or  six  years  of  his  life  he  was  nearly 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  407 

blind  and  very  infirm;  but  his  children,  grand-children  and 
numerous  friends  loved  and  revered  him.  and  united  in 
lamenting  his  separation  from  them  July  10,  181 7,  in  the 
85th  year  of  his  age.  In  the  graveyard  at  Hopewell  his  re- 
mains sleep  in  peace  beside  those  of  his  beloved  companion. 
He  left  two  sons,  William  Bane  and  Dr.  Joseph  McKnitt 
Alexander ;  and  of  his  five  daughters,  one,  Abigail  Bane,  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Rev.  S.  C.  Caldwell ;  another  to  Rev. 
James  Wallis,  and  a  third  to  Col.  Francis  A.  Ramsay,  father 
of  the  worthy  historian  of  Tennessee,  As  he  appeared  ta 
D.  G.  Stinson  in  181 3,  Mr.  Alexander  was  a  man  of  medium 
size,  dark  skin,  with  a  good  intellectual  face,  neat  and  tidy 
in  his  dress;  he  was  very  dignified,  and  had  the  reputation 
of  being  a  very  sensible  person.  He  was  quite  a  politician 
in  his  day,  of  the  old  Federal  school — while  his  son-in-law, 
Rev.  James  Wallis,  was  a  prominent  Democratic  leader, 
and  was  often  engaged  to  deliver  political  addresses  on  the 
Fourth  of  July  occasions. 

REV.  HEZEKIAH  BALCH. 

The  Balch  family  was  originally  from  Wales,  and  the 
name  signifies  "proud"  in  the  Welsh  language.  John  Balch 
is  said  to  have  emigrated  to  New  England  at  an  early  period 
from  Bridgewater,  in  Somerset,  England,  and  became  pos- 
sessed of  a  large  property  and  extensive  influence.  A  great 
grandson  of  his,  Col.  James  Balch,  migrated  directly  from 
his  native  England,  married  Anne  Goodwine,  and  settled  on 
Deer  Creek,  in  Harford  county,  Maryland,  where  his  eldest 
son,  Hezekiah,  was  born  in  1746.  His  father  was  a  man  of 
highly  gifted  and  cultivated  mind,  possessing  a  fine  poetical 
talent,  and  was  the  author  of  some  anonymous  pieces  that 
had  no  small  celebrity  in  their  day.  While  his  son  was  yet  a 
youth,  the  father  moved  with  his  family  from  Maryland  and 
settled  in  Mecklenburg. 

After  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm,  young  Balch  was 
at  length  sent  to  Princeton  college,  where  he  graduated  in 


408  HISTORY    OF 

1766  in  the  same  class  with  Waightstill  Avery,  Chief  Jus- 
tice Ellsworth,  and  the  celebrated  Luther  Martin.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Donnegal  in  1767, 
and  in  1769  he  was  ordained  and  sent  as  a  missionary  to 
Rocky  River  and  Poplar  Tent  churches,  within  the  limits  of 
Mecklenburg.  He  had  married  (a  Miss  Sconnel,  it  is  be- 
lieved) shortly  before  removing  to  the  county,  and  settled 
six  miles  west  of  the  present  town  of  Concord,  on  the  Beat- 
tie's  Ford  road.  It  must  be  conceded  that  during  his  brief 
period  of  labor,  about  seven  years,  he  performed  a  good 
pioneer  work  for  the  Church  and  State — for  the  cause  of 
liberty  and  the  cause  of  education.  A  member  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg Convention  of  May,  1775,  he  not  only  voted  for 
the  noble  resolves,  but  enforced  them  by  his  vigorous  sense 
and  eloquence.  He  did  what  he  could  for  his  country  and 
his  kind;  but,  in  the  summer  of  1776,  he  was  called  to  his 
reward  at  the  early  age  of  30  years.  He  was  reputed  an 
elegant  and  accomplished  scholar.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a 
tall,  handsome  man,  with  fair  hair,  which  he  wore  long  and 
curling.  He  had  two  or  more  children.  His  widow  subse- 
quently married  a  man  by  the  name  of  McWhorter,  a  profes- 
sional teacher,  and  moved  with  her  and  her  children  to  Ten- 
nessee, Mrs.  McWhorter  taking  the  children  as  she  passed 
along  on  her  journey  to  view  their  father's  grave  for  the  last 
time.  All  trace  of  these  children  has  been  lost.  Mr,  Balch 
had  three  brothers  and  several  sisters.  Two  of  the  former 
were  noted  Presbyterian  clergyman,  Rev.  Dr.  Steven  B. 
Balch,  of  Georgetown,  and  Rev.  James  Balch,  of  Kentucky ; 
the  third,  William  Balch,  a  planter  in  Georgia.  In  1847 
means  were  provided  and  a  suitable  monument  erected  over 
his  grave,  for  which  Rev.  J.  A.  Wallace  prepared  an  appro- 
priate inscription. 

HEZEKIAH    ALEXANDER. 

This  member  of  the  numerous  Alexander  family  was  a 
brother  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  and  was  born  in  Cecil 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  4O9 

county,  in  the  northern  part  of  Maryland,  in  January,  1722. 
He  migrated  with  his  family  to  the  Mecklenburg  country  in 
1754,  and  was  soon  assigned  a  prominent  place  among  the 
early  settlers.  He  located  four  or  five  miles  east  of  Char- 
lotte and  in  1764  erected  a  stone  residence  on  which  the  date 
is  cut,  and  is  a  good  house  to  this  day.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  magistrate  and  member  of  the  County  Court.  Foote 
relates  of  him  that  he  was  "the  clearest-headed  magistrate  in 
the  county,"  a  high  compliment.  In  May,  1775,  he  served 
in  the  Mecklenburg  Convention,  and  in  the  ensuing  Septem- 
ber he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Salisbury  District  Com- 
mittee of  Safety.  In  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  paymas- 
ter of  Col.  Thomas  Polk's  regiment  of  the  Continentals,  and 
the  next  month  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  two  members  to 
represent  the  Salisbury  District  in  the  State  Council  of 
Safety,  on  pay  of  twenty  shilling  proclamation  money  for 
each  day's  traveling  and  attendance.   He  died  June  16,  1801. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

CAPT.   ZACCHEUS  WILSON. 

The  Wilsons  were  of  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterian  stock,  and 
were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Cumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  Zaccheus  Wilson  was  born,  probably  as  early 
as  about  1735  or  1740.  When  he  grew  to  man's  state,  he 
was  not  "little  of  statue"  as  Zaccheus  of  old — for  like  nearly 
all  of  that  numerous  connection,  his  person  was  of  full 
medium  size,  rather  heavily  framed,  and  possessing  great 
power  in  the  vigor  of  life.  He  received  but  a  limited  educa- 
tion, and  while  yet  quite  young,  settled  with  his  parents  in 
the  Poplar  Tent  region,  originally  a  part  of  Mecklenburg, 
now  Cabarrus  county.  This  was  prior  to  March,  1753.  He 
had  a  younger  sister  who  married  Capt.  Stephen  Alexander, 
who  survived  till  the  age  of  90 — the  chronicler  of  her  region. 

Zaccheus  Wilson  had  three  brothers,  two  of  whom  were 


4IO  HISTORY    OF 

Robert  and  David,  and  three  sisters.  Reared  on  the  frontier. 
Zaccheus  and  his  brothers  were  not  the  men  to  have  shirked 
any  duty  in  aiding  in  the  defence  of  the  country.  On  the  Yad- 
kin river,  in  Rowan  county,  one  Nicholas  Ross  early  set- 
tled, marrying  Lizzie  Conger,  daughter  of  John  Conger. 
There  were  then  many  wild  horses  running  in  the  woods. 
Having  a  fine  animal  of  his  own,  and  needing  another,  Ross 
went  in  the  spring  of  the  year  to  the  range  and  selected  one 
that  he  thought  would  suit  his  purpose,  and  started  to  run 
him  down  and  halter  him.  But  in  the  race,  the  horse 
plunged  in  a  hole,  turned  a  complete  summersault ;  fell  back 
on  and  crushed  his  pursuer,  who  left  a  widow  and  two  little 
daughters.  (MS.  Letter  of  Rev.  Nicholson  Ross  Morgan, 
a  son  of  the  younger  of  Mr.  Ross'  daughters.  The  elder 
married  Matthew  Harris^  a  nephew  of  Col.  Robert  and 
Samuel  Harris,  of  Rocky  River.) 

Zaccheus  Wilson,  in  his  occupation  of  a  surveyor,  was 
sent  for  to  survey  and  divide  the  land  for  the  heirs;  saw, 
admired,  and  married  the  young  widow,  and  took  her  to  his 
home  in  the  Steele  Creek  region. 

About  1767,  we  find  him  one  of  the  elders  of  Steele  Creek 
Church.  He  had  a  decided  love  for  mathematical  studies, 
which  he  pursued  with  little  or  no  instruction,  and  became 
one  of  the  best  surveyors  of  his  day. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  in  May, 
1775,  and  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  November,  1776, 
for  making  laws  and  forming  a  Constitution.  The  only 
military  service  particularly  remembered,  though  much  in 
the  army,  was  as  a  Captain  at  King's  Mountain,  where 
among  plunder  taken,  was  an  English  surveyor's  compass 
and  platting  instruments,  which  were  assigned  to  him  in  the 
division,  and  are  yet  preserved  by  one  of  his  descendants. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  North  Carolina  Convention  of  1788 
for  the  consideration  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  he 
was  among  the  large  majority  that  refused  to  give  it  their 
approval,  as  wanting  in  a  proper' protection  of  the  rights  of 
the  people. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  4II 

When  the  county  of  Cabarrus  was  set  off  from  Mecklen- 
burg, in  1792,  Capt.  Wilsoii  was  a  resident  of  that  region^ 
and  was  chosen  county  surveyor. 

In  1796,  Capt.  Wilson,  having  lost  his  wife,  resolved  on 
following  his  brother,  Maj.  David  Wilson,  who  had  nine 
years  before  moved  to  Sumner  county,  Tennessee;  and  just 
prior  to  his  departure  he  visited  his  step-daughter,  the 
mother  of  the  venerable  Rev.  N.  H.  Morgan.  "The  last 
night  he  spent  with  us,"  says  Mr.  Morgan,  "I  slept  with 
himv  and  about  midnight  the  wolves  raised  a  furious  howling 
around  the  cow  pen.  The  old  gentleman  went  out  and 
chased  them  away,  and  I  as  a  mere  lad,  remember  how  I 
trembled  lest  he  should  be  devoured."  In  this  migration,  be- 
side his  two  sons,  a  goodly  number  of  Wilsons  and  some  Al- 
exanders accompanied  him.  His  removal  was  much  regret- 
ted by  his  old  friends  and  neighbors.  His  education,  mostly 
self-acquired,  was  quite  liberal.  He  was  very  popular,  a 
Presbyterian  spotless  in  life,  a  noble,  worthy  man,  without 
an  equal  in  his  profession  as  a  surveyor.  He  settled  one 
mile  northeast  of  Gallatin,  in  Sumner  county,  twenty-six 
miles  above  Nashville,  where  he  followed  his  profession  as 
long  as  he  was  able  to  do  so.    He  died  in  1824. 

NEII,   MORRISON. 

James  Morrison,  a  native  of  Scotland,  early  migrated  to 
this  county ;  settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  his  son,  Neil  Mor- 
rison, was  born  in  1728.  On  reaching  years  of  manhood,  he 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  that  city,  and  then  mar- 
ried. 

A  few  years  before  the  Revolution,  the  father  and  his 
three  sons  moved  to  Mecklenburg  and  located  on  Four  Mile 
creek,  in  Providence  settlement,  Neil  Morrison  at  this  time 
having  a  family.  James  Morrison  lived  to  be  an  old  man, 
81  years,  and  was  interred  in  Providence  burial  ground. 
Neil  Morrison's  abilities  soon  commanded  respect,  and  he 
was  chosen  one  of  the  members  of  the  Mecklenburg  Con- 


412  HISTORY    OF 

vention  in  May,  1775.  He  engaged  heartily  in  the  miUtary 
service,  commanding  a  company  on  Rutherford's  campaign 
in  1776,  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  burning  their  towns, 
cutting  down  their  corn  and  throwing  it  into  the  streams. 

His  other  services  are  not  known.  He  was  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  and  a  member  of  the  County  Court.  He  died 
September  13,  1784,  at  the  age  of  56  years,  and  was  buried 
in  Providence  graveyard.  His  widow  survived  him  until 
her  89th  year.  His  son,  William  Morrison,  was  early  sent 
to  Princeton  college,  but  the  war  early  in  1776  interrupted 
his  studies;  so  he  bought  himself  a  rifle  and  returned  home; 
entered  the  service,  serving  a  while  on  Sullivan's  Island. 
At  Gates'  defeat  in  August,  1780,  he  was  wounded  by  a 
musket  ball,  taken  prisoner  and  confined  in  jail  in  Camden, 
whence  his  mother  and  sister  succeeded  in  getting  him  par- 
doned; then  conveying  him  to  Charlotte,  where  Dr.  Hen- 
derson extracted  the  ball  and  he  recovered.  He  subsequently 
became  a  prominent  physician,  and  died  in  1806,  together 
with  his  brothers,  Alexander  and  James,  all  within  a  period 
of  three  months.  Dr.  William  Morrison  was  a  member  of 
the  Legislature  in  1796 — elected  as  a  Federalist — and  his 
brother,  Alexander,  in  1801  to  1803,  as  a  Republican.  Their 
sister  became  the  wife  of  Maj.  Thomas  Alexander,  who 
served  under  Davie  and  Sumter  in  the  Revolution. 

RICHARD  BARRY. 

Of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  Richard  Barry  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  1726.  He  married  Anne  Price,  of  Maryland, 
also  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  settled  many  years  before 
the  Revolution  in  the  Mecklenburg  district,  twelve  miles 
northeast  of  Charlotte,  at  what  is  still  known  as  the  old 
Barry  tanyard. 

Though  best  known  as  a  member  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Convention  of  May,  1775,  he  performed  many  other  services 
of  a  useful  character,  having  served  many  years  as  a  magis- 
trate and  a  member  of  the  County  Court,  and  though  ad- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  413 

vanced  in  life,  he  set  the  good  example  of  taking  his  place 
among  the  Mecklenburg  troops,  when  their  services  were 
called  into  requisition.  At  the  age  of  55,  he  fought  as 
valiantly  as  the  younger  soldiers  in  disputing  the  passage  of 
Cornwallis'  army  at  Cowan's  Ford,  in  February,  1781, 
when  the  lamented  Davidson  was  slain,  and  aided  in  bury- 
ing his  body  by  torchlight  in  the  graveyard  at  Hopewell. 
Mr.  Barry  was  long  a  ruling  elder  in  Hopewell  Church.  The 
first  sermon  by  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  in  that  section  of 
the  county  was  preached  under  the  sade  of  a  tree  at  the  side 
of  his  house.  His  death  occurred  August  21,  1801,  in  the 
75th  year  of  his  age. 

JOHN    FLENNIKTN. 

James  and  John  Flennikin,  descendants  from  Scotch- 
Irish  ancestors,  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  race  in 
Pennsylvania,  They  had  nine  children,  of  whom  John 
Flennikin,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  seventh,  born 
in  Pennsylvania  March  7,  1744.  The  family  early  migrated 
to  Mecklenburg,  and  settled  on  the  waters  of  McAlpin's 
creek,  in  what  is  now  Sharon  Township.  John  Flennikin 
seems  to  have  had  a  fair  education,  but  beyond  his  service  as 
a  member  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775, 
and  many  years  as  a  magistrate  and  member  of  the  County 
Court,  we  have  no  record.  His  life  was  one  mainly  of  peace- 
ful pursuits.  He  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  when  he  was 
thrown  -from  his  horse  on  his  v.'ay  to  church  and  killed,  and 
his  remains  mingle  with  the  dust  of  Providence  burial 
ground.  His  brother,  David  Flennikin,  served  under  Col. 
Irwin  and  Gen.  Sumter  at  the  battle  of  Hanging  Rock, 
where  he  was  wounded  and  carried  to  the  hospital  at  Char- 
lotte. He  long  enjoyed  a  pension  for  the  wounds  he  received 
in  the  service,  and  died  April  26th,  1826,  in  the  78th  year  of 
his  age,  and  was  buried  in  Providence  graveyard.  Beth  of 
the  brothers  left  numerous  and  worthy  descendants. 


414  HISTORY   OF 

WILLIAM  GRAHAM. 

•  But  little  can  be  gathered  of  this  delegate  to  the  Mecklen- 
burg Convention  of  May,  1775.  His  was  a  farmer's  life, 
quietly  spent  in  his  calling,  and  he  left  behind  him  few  evi- 
dences of  his  public  career.  He  was  an  Irishman  and  early 
settled  in  Mecklenburg  county.  He  was  useful  in  his  day, 
serving,  it  i.s  believed,  in  the  army.  He  died  at  an  advanced 
age  in  1820  or  1822,  near  Davidson  College. 

MATTHEW   m'cLURE. 

In  the  north  of  Ireland  and  about  1725,  was  Matthew 
McClure  born,  where  he  married;  then  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Mecklenburg  about  1751,  five  miles  south  of  Da- 
vidson College.  It  is  an  evidence  of  his  worth  that  he  was 
chosen  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Mecklenbubrg  Conven- 
tion of  May,  1775.  It  is  nof  known  that  he  filled  any  other 
public  position.  His  home  was  a  rendezvous  for  the  patriots 
of  his  section.  In  January,  1782,  the  County  Court  ordered 
that  no  person  in  Charlotte,  or  within  two  miles  of  the  place, 
should  be  permitted  to  sell  any  spirituous  liquors,  so  long 
as  the  hospital  was  continued  in  that  town,  and  employed 
Matthew  McClure  to  take  possession  of  all  such  contraband 
liquors  for  the  use  of  the  hospital,  or  as  the  commanding 
officer  should  direct.  Too  old  himself  to  enter  active  service 
in  the  field,  his  sons  were  much  engaged  in  the  army. 

JOHN  QUEARY. 

A  native  of  Scotland,  John  Queary  first  migrated  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  then  to  Mecklenburg  some  years  before 
the  Revolution.  As  early  as  January,  1770,  we  find  Mr. 
Queary  residing  in  what  was  called  for  a  time  Clear  Creek, 
now  Philadelphia,  in  the  bounds  of  Rocky  River,  and  was 
an  elder  in  that  church. 

Of  his  Revolutionary  service,  save  that  he  was  a  mem- 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  415 

ber  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775,  noth- 
ing is  known.  He  is  represented  as  a  man  of  strong  and 
vigorous  intellect,  and  a  good  scholar,  especially  in  mathe- 
matics ;  accumulating  means  to  a  moderate  extent,  and  died 
at  an  early  period.  He  is  buried  in  what  was  once  Meck- 
lenburg, now  Union  county. 

EZRA  AI.EXANDER. 

All  that  can  be  stated  of  Mr.  Alexander  in  addition  to  his 
having  been  a  delegate  to  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of 
May,  1775,  is  that  he  headed  a  company  in  June  and  July, 
1780,  in  Col.  W.  L.  Davidson's  command,  during  the  Tory 
rising  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  and  in  the  affair  near  Calson's 
Mill  with  a  body  of  Tories  while  in  pursuit  of  Bryan's  party, 
and  the  next  month  served  in  Capt.  John  Brownfield's  com- 
pany of Regiment  at  the  battle  of  Hanging 

Rock.  (MS.  Letters  of  Dr.  C.  L.  Hunter,  September 
21,  1775.)  He  died  in  the  summer  of  1800,  at  an  advanced 
age. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

WAIGHTSTILL  AVERY. 

The  Avery  family  trace  a  Hungarian  origin.  Capt.  James 
Avery,  of  Devonshire,  England,  came  over  with  Winthrop's 
company  in  1630,  only  ten  years  after  the  May  Flower,  first 
settling  at  Gloucester;  then  in  1651  at  New  London,  Conn., 
and  shortly  after  at  Groton.  From  him-  descended  Waight- 
still  Avery,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  born  in  Gro- 
ton May  3,  1743.  He  graduated  at  Princeton  College  in 
1766,  where  he  remained  a  tutor  for  a  year.  Then  removing 
to  Maryland,  he  studied  law  for  about  a  year  and  a  half 
under  the  direction  of  Littleton  Dennis,  where  early  in  1769 
he  set  out  for  North  Carolina. 

Selecting  Mecklenburg  for  his  home,  he  domiciled  with 


4l6  HISTORY    OF 

Hezekiah  Alexander  at  the  moderate  rate  of  £12  (twelve 
pounds)  per  eight  months. 

In  1 77 1  he  was  made  prisoner  by  the  Regulators  at  Yad- 
kin Ferry,  and  carried  to  their  camp  in  the  woods.  They 
gave  him  a  flogging  and  soon  set  him  at  liberty.  When  the 
great  war  came  he  was  prepared  to  meet  it.  In  such  an  at- 
mosphere as  Mecklenburg,  he  could  only  learn  to  breathe 
the  purest  sentiments  of  patriotism.  In  the  Mecklenburg 
Convention  in  May,  1775,  he  filled  an  honored  place.  He 
was  most  probably  associated  with  Brevard  and  Kennon  on 
the  committee  who  reported  the  memorable  Resolves  of 
May  20th,  and  could  scarcely  have  kept  silent  in  enforcing 
their  adoption  by  his  talents  and  persuasive  powers  of  elo- 
quence. He  was  a  "shrewd  lawyer,"  said  Prof.  F.  M.  Hub- 
bard, "whose  integrity,  no  less  than  his  deliberate  wisdom, 
rr.ade  his  counsels  weighty." 

Jones,  in  his  "Revolutionary  Defence  of  North  Carolina," 
states  that  Brevard  and  Avery,  with  their  classical  attain- 
ments, with  the  native  talent  and  enthusiasm  of  Thomas 
Polk,  produced  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration.  He  was  re- 
turned one  of  the  Mecklenburg  representatives  to  the  North 
Carolina  Provincial  Congress  of  August  and  September, 
1775,  when  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  two  members  for  the 
Salisbury  District  of  Provincial  Council  of  Safety.  The 
Council  held  two  sessions  that  year,  one  in  October  and  one 
in  December. 

He  was  dispatched,  in  behalf  of  the  Council,  to  purchase 
from  the  South  Carolina  Committee  of  Safety  2,000  pounds 
of  powder  for  the  use  of  the  Province,  and  was  also  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  committee  for  the  District  of  Salisbury 
to  purchase  materials  and  to  employ  proper  persons  to  make 
and  repair  guns  and  bayonets,  and  purchase  guns,  lead  and 
flints.  In  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  chairman  of  four 
commissioners  by  the  Provincial  Congress  to  erect  salt 
works  and  manufacture  salt  for  the  use  of  the  public,  which 
proved  successful  and  of  great  importance. 

He  was  in  this  year,  1777,  appointed  one  of  the  trustees  of 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  4I7 

Liberty  Hall  Academy  at  Charlotte,  and  was  also  chosen  one 
of  the  two  members  to  represent  Mecklenbubrg  in  the  House 
of  Commons,  and  served  on  the  committee  to  revise  the 
whole  body  of  the  public  laws  of  the  State.  On  the  12th  of 
January,  1778,  he  was  commissioned  Attorney  General  of 
the  State. 

To  the  last  his  was  the  costume  of  the  Revolution — short 
breeches^  long  waistcoats,  silk  stockings  and  knee  buckles — 
wearing  his  hair  in  a  cue,  and  presenting  altogether  a  singu- 
lar appearance  to  the  younger  generation.  Absent-minded- 
ness was  one  of  his  peculiarities,  of  which  his  more  intimate 
friends  would  take  occasion  to  play  off  practical  j  okes  at  his 
expense.  He  was  devoted  to  his  friends  and  strong  in  his 
prejudices.  He  was  very  fond  of  his  books  and  newspapers. 
He  died  in  March,  182 1. 

COL.    WM.    KENNON. 

The  Kennons  migrated  from  England  and  settled  in  Vir- 
ginia about  as  early  as  1660.  Richard  Kennon,  with  three 
associates,  obtained  a  grant  from  the  Colony  of  2,827  acres 
in  Henrico  county,  April  i,  1670,  and  Elizabeth  Kennon, 
perhaps  the  widow  of  Richard,  April  24,  1703,  secured  a 
grant  of  4,000  acres  in  Henrico.  Robert,  William  and 
Richard  Kennon,  Jr.,  were  the  sons  of  this  early  couple. 
William  Kennon,  recorded  as  "Gentleman,"  between  April 
17,  1725,  and  November,  1750,  obtained  five  grants  of  land 
in  Henrico,  aggregating  4,063,  and  one  tract  of  4,000  acres 
in  Prince  George  county.  (MS.  Letters  of  R.  A.  Brock, 
Corresponding  Secretary  Virginia  Historical  Society,  Sept. 

13,  1875-) 

He  was  probably  there  on  professional  business,  and  was 
invited  as  a  matter  of  courtesy  to  a  seat  in  the  Convention 
in  Charlotte  May  20,  1775. 


41 8  "  HISTORY    OF 

COl,.    JAMES   HARRIS. 

According  to  the  late  Hon.  W.  S.  Harris,  an  intelligent 
chronicler  of  the  family,  the  Harris  connection  of  Mecklen- 
burg and  Cabarrus  were  of  Scotch-Irish  stock,  natives 
of  Harrisburg,  Penn.,  who  emigrated  first  to  Cecil  county, 
Maryland,  and  in  1740  to  North  Carolina.  The  facts  are 
that  James  Harris,  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  first  set- 
tled on  the  Susquehanna  in  1719.  But  Harrisburg 
was  not  laid  out  as  a  town  till  sixty-five  years  after.  A 
grandson  of  the  first  settler  bore  the  name  of  Robert,  a 
family  name  among  the  North  Carolina  Harrises.  An  imme- 
diate descendant  of  Col.  James  Harris  states  that  he  was  a 
native  of  Wales,  born  April  3,  1739,  but  the  probabilities  are 
that  he  was  of  Welsh  descent,  and  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
He  early  settled  on  Clear  Creek,  in  IMecklenburg  county. 
He  proved  himself  a  leader  among  the  people,  and  was 
chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May, 
1775.  In  June,  1780,  we  find  him  serving  as  Major  oi  Col. 
Irwin's  regiment,  and  marched  against  the  Tories  at  Ram- 
sour' s,  who  were  defeated  a  little  before  the  arrival  of  the 
rear  under  Gen.  Rutherford  and  Col.  Irwin.  He  was  sub- 
sequently promoted  to  be  Colonel. 

In  1785,  he  was  chosen  to  represent  Mecklenburg  in  the 
State  Senate,  a  high  honor  in  a  region  where  there  were  so 
many  able  and  worthy  men.  His  death  occurred  September 
27,  1797,  in  the  59th  year  of  his  age.  He  is  represented  as 
a  very  rich  man,  quiet  in  his  demeanor,  provident  and  suc- 
cessful, and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination. 
Some  of  his  descendants  reside  in  Texas.  His  younger 
brother,  Samuel  Harris,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  lived 
till  he  was  80  years  old.  Another  brother,  Robert  Harris, 
^vill  receive  a  special  notice. 

DAVID   REESE. 

David  Reese,  a  native  of  Wales,  was  among  the  Protest- 
ant emigrants  who  were  induced  to  settle  in  Ireland.     He 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  419 

was  a  Presbyterian  preacher,  and  took  part  in  the  terrible 
siege  of  Londonderry,  which  lasted  eight  months  on  scanty 
allowance.  He  subsequently  returned  to  Wales,  where  his 
son,  David  Reese,  was  born  in  1710,  and  came  to  America 
when  a  lad  about  1 5  years  old.  He  settled  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  in  due  time  he  married  Susan  Polk,  a  near  relative  of 
Thomas  and  Ezekiel  Polk,  where  their  son,  Thomas,  was 
born  in  1742,  who  subsequently  became  a  distinguished 
clergyman  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  About  1750,  David 
Reese  emigrated,  with  his  young  family,  and  located  in  Pop- 
lar Tent  settlement  of  the  Catawba  country. 

Well  educated  for  his  day,  he  became  a  prominent  man 
among  the  early  settlers,  and  was  chosen  one  of  a  bench 
of  Poplar  Tent  Church  elders  in  1751.  Waightstill  Avery, 
in  Diary  of  September,  1767,  records:  "Went  to  David 
Reese's,  plotted  a  piece  of  land  for  him,"  and  "wrote  a  deed 
for  him  to  his  son,"  which  would  indicate  wealth  in  the  rich 
land  of  the  countr}^  He  is  one  of  the  reputed  delegates  to 
the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775;  was  long  a 
magistrate  and  member  of  the  County  Court. 

Though  too  old  to  take  the  field,  he  was  appointed  by  the 
Provincial  Congress  of  April,  1776,  with  Thomas,  to  pro- 
cure, purchase  and  receive  fire  arms  for  the  use  of  the  troops 
of  Mecklenburg.  He  lived  to  see  his  country  free  and  happy. 
His  will  bears  date  of  February  5,  1787,  and  was  admitted 
to  probate  in  September  following.  He  must  have  died  not 
long  before  the  latter  date,  at  the  age  of  about  "^y  years. 
His  remains  lie  buried  in  Poplar  Tent  burial  ground,  in  an 
unknown  grave. 

"He  was  a  born  statesman,"  writes  Hon.  W.  S.  Harris, 
and  "one  of  the  best  of  men."  He  was  commanding  in  ap- 
pearance, fine  looking,  with  bright,  black  eyes. 

HENRY  DOWNS. 

Of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  Henry  Downs  was  born  in  1728, 
probably  in  Pennsylvania,  and  early  settled  in  Providence 


420  HISTORY   OP 

settlement,  which  subsequently  became  a  part  of  Mecklen- 
burg. 

Of  his  public  career,  we  only  know  that  he  was  one  of  the 
reputed  delegates  to  the  famous  Mecklenburg  Convention. 
He  lived  to  see  his  country  free,  and  to  enjoy  the  blessings 
of  a  well-spent  life.  He  died  October  8,  1798,  at  the  age  of 
70  years,  and  was  buried  in  Providence  burial  ground,  12 
miles  south  of  Charlotte.  One  correspondent  speaks  of 
"Henry  Downs  of  precious  memory,"  indicative  of  his 
worthy  character,  and  the  good  name  he  left  behind  him. 
His  sons,  Thomas  and  Samuel  Downs,  were  well  known  in 
their  day,  and  their  descendants  are  quite  numerous  in  the 
Mecklenburg  region. 

JOHN    FOARD. 

There  was  a  John  Foard  in  Somerset  county,  on  the  east- 
ern shore  of  Maryland,  a  Presbyterian  elder,  as  early  as 
1710,  mentioned  in  the  first  stories  of  Foote's  Sketches  of 
Virginia.  As  that  region  furnished  many  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Mecklenburg,  it  is  most  probable  that  the  John  Foard 
of  Mecklenburg  was  descended  from  that  Maryland  Presby- 
terian family  of  the  same  name. 

As  early  as  January  27,  1770,  he  is  found  among  the 
members  of  Clear  Creek  congregation.  He  is  said  to  have 
been  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of 
May,  1775,  and  long  served  as  a  magistrate  and  member  of 
the  County  Court.  He  ser^^ed  as  a  private  in  Col.  Charles 
Polk's  Dragoons  in  the  fall  of  1781,  on  the  Raft  Swamp  ex- 
pedition. His  will  bears  date  of  April  25,  1798,  and  he  prob- 
ably died  not  long  after  this  period.  Mr.  Harris  represents 
him  as  a  worthy  and  good  man,  possessing  great  courage. 
He  lived  and  died  in  that  part  of  Mecklenburg  which  now 
forms  Union  county.  There  are  none  of  his  lineal  descend- 
ants remaining  in  the  old  Mecklenburg  region,  but  a  good 
many  kindred  bear  his  name. 


MECKLKNBURG   COUNTY.  42I 

CHARLES   ALEXANDER. 

Of  this  member  of  the  numerous  Alexander  family,  little 
is  known  save  that  he  was  one  of  the  reputed  delegates  to  the 
Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775.  He  lived  on  the 
line  from  Waxhaw  to  Charlotte.  He  was  a  gallant  and  true 
patriot,  and  unlike  most  of  his  Alexander  kindred,  he  was 
an  unbeliever  in  the  Christian  religion.  His  death  took 
place  in  1801.  He  had  a  grand-son  recently  deceased,  who 
was  an  officer  and  soldier  in  the  war  with  Mexico. 

ROBERT  HARRIS,  SR. 

In  the  notice  of  Col.  James  Harris,  a  brother  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  it  was  stated  that  he  was  descended  from 
Welsh  ancestry,  and  was  probably  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Harris,  born  about  1741,  is  also  supposed  to  have 
been  born  in  that  State,  and  certain  it  is  that  the  family 
connection  included  probably  the  parents  and  their  sons. 
James,  Robert,  Samuel,  Charles  and  Thomas,  and  an  only 
sister,  who  became  the  wife  of  Rev.  Thomas  Reese,  early 
migrated  to  the  Catawba  Valley.  Hon.  W.  S.  Harris,  who 
descended  from  Charles,  fixed  the  period  of  their  migration 
in  1740;  but  it  was  probably  a  few  years  later,  else  some  of 
the  brothers  and  the  sister  must  have  been  born  in  Mecklen- 
burg county.  The  venerable  Rev.  N.  R.  Morgan  and  lady, 
the  latter  a  grand-daughter  of  Robert  Harris,  thinks  he  came 
to  North  Carolina  with  the  early  crowd  of  emigrants  from 
Pennsylvania  or  Maryland. 

As  early  as  May,  1771,  he  was  chosen  an  elder  of  Pop- 
lar Tent  Church.  (The  Robert  Harris  of  this  sketch  should 
not  be  confounded  v^rith  the  Col.  Robert  Harris,  of  Reed 
Creek,  referred  to  in  Foote's  Sketches  of  North  Carolina, 
page  480.)  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter  included  the  name  of 
Richard  Harris,  Sr.,  among  the  list  of  delegates  to  the 
Mecklenburg  Convention,  which  the  Legislative  Committee 
in  the  State  pamphlet  of  1831  adopted  in  the  second  or- 
ganized list  of  bona  Ude  members. 


422  HISTORY   OF 

Lossing,  in  his  "Field  Books  of  the  Revolution,"  corrects 
the  apparent  error  of  Richard  Harris  and  substitutes  the 
name  of  Robert  Harris.  "It  is  surprising,"  writes  W.  S. 
Harris,  who  lived  all  his  life  in  that  region,  and  one  of  the 
best  chroniclers  in  that  section  of  country,  "that  such  an 
error  should  have  been  committed,  and  the  name  given  as 
Richard;  it  is  a  mistake.  I  know  that  the  name  should  have 
been  Robert  Harris." 

It  is  due  to  truth  to  say  that  Rev.  N.  R.  Morgan  and 
lady,  the  latter  his  grand-daughter,  who  remembered  him 
personally,  state  that  they  never  understood  that  that  Robert 
Harris  was  one  of  the  famous  Mecklenburg  delegates. 

In  view  of  his  services  and  sufferings,  a  grant  of  5,000 
acres  of  land  was  donated  to  him  in  Tennessee,  which  was 
neglected  for  many  years,  but  finally  secured  by  his  descend- 
ants^ proving  of  great  value  to  them.  He  became  the  pos- 
sessor of  a  large  body  of  land  around  what  is  now  known  as 
Harris'  station,  on  the  North  Carolina  Railroad,  in  Cabar- 
rus county.  The  mill  he  built  on  Rocky  river,  the  dam  of 
which  is  solid  rock,  still  stands  and  continues  to  be  known 
as  Harris'  Mill. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

MA  J.  JOHN  DAVIDSON. 

Robert  Davidson  and  wife,  Mary  Ramsay,  of  Dundee, 
Scotland,  became  early  settlers  of  Chestnut  Level,  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  where  their  son,  John  Da- 
vidson, was  born  December  15,  1735.  With  respec- 
table education,  and  reared  to  the  occupation  of  a  farmer, 
and  while  yet  a  young  man,  about  1760,  he  migrated  to  the 
Catawba  country,  in  North  Carolina. 

Here  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Violet,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Wilson,  and  sister  to  the  wife  of  Ezekiel  Polk,  and 
settled  on  the  Catawba  near  Tool's  Ford.  Such  was  his 
prominence  that  he  was  chosen,  in  conjunction  with  Capt. 


MECKLENBURG    COUNTY.  423 

Thomas  Polk,  to  represent  Mecklenburg  county  in  the  Colo- 
nial Legislature  in  1773.  When  such  a  man  as  John  David- 
son states  positively  that  he  was  one  of  the  members  of  the 
famous  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775,  chosen  in 
his  captain's  company  with  John  McKnitt  Alexander  as  his 
coadjutor,  no  one  has  ever  called  this  claim  into  question, 
it  should  stand  as  one  of  the  fixed  facts  of  history.  Mow 
Dr.  M.  Winslow  Alexander,  in  making  up  his  list  of  dele- 
gates in  1S24,  should  have  omitted  him,  then  being  a  venera- 
ble survivor  of  the  Revolution  and  sustaining  the  highest 
character  with  Gen.  Joseph  Graham  among  his  honored 
sons-in-law,  and  how  the  Legislative  Committee  of  1831 
should  have  ignored  his  claim  to  that  undoubted  honor  and 
placed  other  names  of  doubtful  import  in  their  recognized 
list  of  delegates,  is  not  the  least  of  many  strange  things  con- 
nected with  tills  jNIecklenburg  matter.  An  intelligent  gen- 
tleman states  that  his  grand-father,  Maj.  Davidson,  rode 
home  the  night  after  the  declaration  was  made,  fourteen 
miles,  taking  by-paths  for  fear  of  being  killed  by  the  enemy, 
when  in  truth  there  were  no  British  soldiers  within  hun- 
dreds of  miles  of  Mecklenburg  in  May,  1775 ;  no  Tories,  of 
whom  there  were  few  in  that  region  at  any  time,  had  shown 
themselves  in  hostile  array.  The  Indians  were  still  peaceful 
on  the  frontiers  and  remained  so  for  more  than  a  year  later, 
and  no  Redcoats  trod  the  soil  of  Mecklenburg  till  after 
Cornwallis'  forced  himself  there  in  September,  1780. 

In  vSeptember,  1775,  he  was  appointed  second  Major  of 
Col.  Polk's  regiment,  and  doubtless  went  with  the  regiment 
on  the  Snow  Campaign  at  the  close  of  the  year  against  the 
Tory  insurgents  in  the  region  of  Ninety-Six,  South  Caro- 
lina. He  was  promoted  to  first  Major  of  Mecklenburg  mili- 
tia under  Col.  Adam  Alexander  and  Lieut.  Phifer  in  April, 
1776,  and  in  the  spring  of  that  year,  then  in  the  summer  and 
fall  of  the  same  year,  he  went  on  Rutherford's  campaign 
against  the  Cherokees.  No  particulars  are  mentioned  of  his 
other  services.  The  remainder  of  his  long  life  he  continued 
to  reside  at  his  old  homestead  on  the  Catawba  until  the  death 


424  HISTORY    OF 

of  his  wife  and  marriage  of  his  children,  when,  in  1824,  he 
went  to  reside  with  iiis  daughter,  Mrs.  W.  Lee  Davidson, 
near  Davidson  College,  where  he  closed  his  long  and  useful 
life  January  10,  1832,  in  the  97th  year  of  his  age,  and  was 
buried  in  the  family  burying  ground  at  his  former  home,  a 
spot  selected  by  himself,  near  Tool's  Ford,  on  the  Catawba. 

COL.    KZEKIEL    POLK. 

Capt.  Jack  included  in  his  list  of  those  "who  appeared  to 
take  the  lead"  in  the  Mecklenburg  movement  of  May,  1775, 
Col.  Ezekiel  Polk,  Samuel  Martin,  William  Wilson  and  Dun- 
can Ochiltree;  and  Lossing  has  given  the  names  of  the  three 
latter  in  his  enumeration  of  the  delegates.  They  were  all 
doubtless  prominent  actors  among  the  people  on  the  interest- 
ing occasion.  Of  William  Polk's  eight  children,  a  sketch  of 
Col.  Thomas  Polk,  the  eldest,  has  already  been  given.  Eze- 
kiel was  the  youngest,  born  in  Pennsylvania  December  7, 
1747.  "Pennsylvania  born,  and  Carolina  bred,"  as  he  him- 
self composed  in  evidence  for  his  tombstone,  would  imply 
that  when  quite  young  he  followed  the  fortunes  of  his  broth- 
ers to  Carolina,  and  was  mostly  raised,  or  bred,  as  he  pre- 
ferred to  term  it.  Of  his  youthful  days,  nothing  is  remem- 
bered. 

He  early  married  Mary  Wilson,  a  sister  to  the  wife  of 
Maj.  John  Davidson.  In  1769  he  was  clerk  of  the  Court  of 
Tryon  county — territory  from  which  Lincoln  and  Ruther- 
ford have  since  been  formed. 

In  1778,  Col.  Polk  removed  into  Mecklenburg  county, 
just  south  of  Sugar  Creek  Church,  and  eleven  miles  south  of 
Charlotte,  where  his  son,  *James  K.  Polk,  was  born.  This 
was  a  period  of  quiet  in  this  region,  and  remained  so  until 
Cornwallis'  invasion  in  September,  1780.  There  was  no  reg- 
ular army  then,  after  Gates'  defeat,  to  protect  the  county. 
When  Cornwallis  reached  Col.  Polk's,  on  Sugar  Creek,  in 
order  to  save  the  burning  of  his  home,  the  destruction  of  his 
property,  and  the  suffering  of  his  family,  he  was  forced  to 

*James  K.  Polk  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Polk,  and  grandson  of 
Ezekiel  Polk.— Editor. 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  425 

take  British  protection,  which  merely  was  understood  to  pro- 
tect himself,  family  and  property  from  molestation,  without 
implying  any  pledge  for  sympathy  or  service. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

CAPT.  JAMES  JACK. 

The  bearer  of  the  Mecklenburg  Resolves  of  May,  1775,  to 
Philadelphia — Capt.  James  Jack — was  of  Irish  descent,  bom 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1739,  whence  he  removed  to  North  Car- 
olina, and  settled  in  Charlotte  eight  or  ten  years  before  the 
commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  married  Mar- 
garet Houston,  and  was  long  a  popular  hotel  keeper  in 
Charlotte.  He  took  a  decided  and  active  part  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  He  probably  served  under  Col.  Thomas  Polk 
on  the  Snow  Campaign  in  1775.  His  large  acquaintance 
with  the  people  enabled  him  to  raise  a  company  of  men, 
whom  he  led  forth  on  Rutherford's  Cherokee  campaign  in 
1776.  He  was  with  the  troops  embodied  who  opposed  Corn- 
wallis  when  he  entered  Charlotte  in  September,  1781.  Capt. 
Jack  also  led  his  company  in  Gen.  Polk's  brigade  in  April, 
1 781,  joining  Gen.  Greene  at  Rugeby's  Mills,  and  serving  a 
three  months'  tour  of  duty.  The  particulars  of  other  ser- 
vices of  Capt.  Jack  are  not  preserved.  It  is  only  known  that 
he  was  ever  ready  for  service,  and  was  so  popular  with  his 
company  that  they  induced  him  not  to  seek  or  accept  the  pro- 
motions, which  indeed  he  did  not  desire.  In  a  certificate 
extracted  by  Col.  Abraham  and  Hezekiah  Alexander  De- 
cember 24,  1 78 1,  it  is  stated  that  Capt.  Jack  had  resided 
several  years  in  Mecklenburg  county,  was  a  good  and 
worthy  member  of  society,  both  civil  and  religious,  and 
since  the  beginning  of  the  war,  had  always  conducted  him- 
self as  a  patriot  and  as  an  officer  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
evince  his  honest  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  cause  of  his 
country.    The  close  of  the  war  left  him  poor.    He  had  freely 


426  HISTORY    OF 

advanced  all  he  possessed  in  the  great  struggle,  a  portion  of 
it  as  a  loan  to  North  Carolina.  His  unrequited  claims  at  the 
time  of  his  death  upon  North  Carolina  amounted  to  £7,446 
State  currency.  In  1783,  Capt.  Jack  removed  to  Georgia, 
settling  in  Wilkes  county. 

RKV.    FRANCIS   CUMMINGS,   D.    D. 

A  child  of  Irish  parentage,  Mr.  Cummings  was  born  near 
Shippenburg,  Penn.,  in  the  spring  of  1752.  In  his  19th  year 
his  parents  moved  to  Mecklenburg  county,  and  young 
Cummings  exchanged  his  former  life  for  the  classic  halls 
of  the  Queen's  Museum  in  Charlotte,  where  he  was  an  eye 
witness  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  May,  1775,  con- 
cerning which  he  furnished  a  certificate,  and  also  gave  some 
account  in  a  published  sermon.  He  graduated  at  Queen's 
Museum  about  1776,  and  spent  several  years  teaching. 
Among  his  pupils  in  Bethel,  York  county,  South  Carolina, 
was  Andrew  Jackson,  afterwards  President,  and  William 
Smith,  a  United  States  Senator  from  South  Carolina. 

When  licensed  to  preach  he  occupied  various  pulpits  at 
Hopewell,  Bethel  and  other  places.  In  1788,  while  residing 
at  Bethel,  he  was  chosen  by  the  people  of  York  county  a 
member  of  the  South  Carolina  Convention  for  deciding  upon 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  Cummings  was 
at  various  periods  the  pastor  of  some  twenty  congregations, 
some  in  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  divid- 
ing his  time  between  teaching  and  preaching. 

His  last  sermon  was  preached  January  15,  1832,  and 
three  days  later  he  was  seized  with  influenza,  which  termi- 
nated his  life  at  Greensboro,  Ga.,  on  the  2d  of  the  ensuing 
February,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age.  He  left  behind  him  a 
good  name  and  many  descendants. 

GEN.   JOSEPH   GRAHAM. 

A  native  of  Pennsylvania,  Joseph  Graham  was  born  Octo- 
ber 13,  1759.    His  widowed  mother  in  1776  removed  with 


MECKlvENBURG   COUNTY.  427 

her  live  children  tO'  North  Carolina,  settling-  in  the  vicinity  of 
Charlotte,  where  Joseph  received  the  most  of  his  education. 
He  v^as  present  during  the  meeting  of  the  famous  Mecklen- 
burg Convention,  and  his  reminiscences  concerning  it  are  not 
only  the  most  detailed  of  any  preserved,  but  the  most  impor- 
tant in  citing  facts  connected  with  the  Resolves  which,  when 
those  of  May  20th  were  subsequently  discovered,  go  to  sub- 
stantiate that  they  were  the  real  and  only  Resolves  adopted 
by  the  people  of  Mecklenburg  in  May,  1775. 

In  May,  1778,  v/hen  19  years  old,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourth 
Regiment  of  the  North  Carolina  line,  and  marched  into  Cas- 
well county,  and  was  subsequently  furloughed  home;  but  in 
August,  was  ordered  to  South  Carolina,  and  then  to 
Georgia;  was  in  the  battle  of  Stono,  June  20,  1779,  and 
soon  after  discharged.  The  next  year  he  was  appointed  Ad- 
jutant of  the  Mecklenburg  regiment,  and  when  the  British 
crmy,  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  invaded  the  country  in  Sep- 
tember, 1780,  he  was  ordered  by  Gen.  Davidson  to  take  com- 
mand of  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  should  collect  in  Char- 
lotte on  the  news  of  the  enemy's  approach,  who  amounted  to 
fifty  in  number.  When  the  British  entered  Charlotte  Sep- 
tember 26th,  Maj.  Davis  and  Capt.  Graham  made  a  daring 
resistance,  brief,  but  unavailing.  They  were  compelled  to 
retreat,  but  resisted  as  they  retired.  In  one  of  the  enemy's 
charges,  Graham  received  nine  wounds,  six  from  the  sabre 
and  three  from,  bullets.  His  stock  buckles  probably  pre- 
vented one  of  the  cuts  upon  his  neck  from  fatally  wounding 
him.  As  it  was,  he  ever  afterward  bore  marks  of  the  sever- 
ity of  the  blow  aimed  at  his  life.  Four  deep  sabre  gashes 
scarred  his  head  and  one  his  side.  He  was  left  for  dead 
when  the  enemy  departed,  and  with  difficulty  crawled  to 
some  water  near  by,  where,  slaking  his  intolerable  thirst, 
he  washed  his  numerous  painful  wounds  as  well  as  he  could. 

For  a  time  he  expected  to  die  unnoticed  in  this  secluded 
spot,  but  by  night  was  discovered  by  kind-hearted  people  who 
were  in  search  of  their  wounded  countrymen,  and  conveyed 
to  a  neighboring  house  of  a  widow  lady.    Here  he  was  con- 


428  HISTORY    OF 

cealed  in  an  upper  room  and  was  attended  by  the  widow  and 
her  daughter  during  the  night,  expecting  he  might  soon  die. 
Once  he  slept  and  breathed  so  quietly,  and  was  so  pale,  they 
thought  he  was  dead.  The  next  day  a  British  officer's  wife, 
with  a  company  of  horsemen,  visited  the  widow's  house  in 
quest  of  fresh  provisions.  By  some  means  she  discovered 
that  there  was  a  wounded  person  in  the  loft,  and  pressing 
the  inquiry,  learned  he  was  an  officer  and  his  wounds  severe, 
and  kindly  offered  to  send  a  British  surgeon  to  dress  his 
wounds  as  soon  as  she  should  reach  the  camp  at  Charlotte. 
Alarmed  at  his  discovery  and  dreading  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy,  he  rallied  all  his  powers  and  caused  himself  to 
be  placed  on  horseback  the  ensuing  night  and  taken  to  his 
mother's,  and  not  long  after  to  the  hospital.  Three  balls 
were  taken  from  his  body. 

GEN.   GEORGE  GRAHAM. 

Nearly  two  years  the  senior  of  his  brother,  Joseph,  whose 
career  has  just  been  sketched,  George  Graham  was  also  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1758,  and  when  some  nine 
years  of  age  was  brought  to  Mecklenburg  county  by  his 
widowed  mother,  and  educated  at  the  Queen's  Museum 
Academy  at  Charlotte,  and  became  strongly  imbued  with 
the  republican  principles  of  the  Scotch-Irish  of  that  region. 
He  was  one  of  the  party  of  young  patriots  who  rode  from 
Charlotte  to  Salisbury  early  in  June,  1775,  and  arrested 
Dunn  and  Boothe,  a  couple  of  prominent  Tory  lawyers  who 
proposed  to  detain  Capt.  Jack  when  on  his  way  to  Philadel- 
phia with  the  Resolves  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention.  He 
was  active  in  harrassing  and  thwarting  the  foraging  parties 
of  the  enemy  when  Cornwallis  lay  at  Charlotte,  and  one  of 
the  gallant  fourteen  who  dared  to  attack,  October  3,  1780, 
and  actually  drove  a  British  foraging  party  of  450  infantry, 
60  cavalry  and  about  40  wagons,  under  Maj.  Doyle,  at  Mc- 
Intire's,  seven  miles  north  of  Charlotte. 

Capt.  James  Thompson  commanded  this  daring  party  of 


MECKLENBURG   COUNTY.  429 

Mecklenbtirgers.  Two  hundred  yards  from  Mclntire's  was 
a  thicket  down  a  spring  branch,  to  which  Thompson  and 
his  party  repaired.  A  point  of  rocky  ridge,  covered  with 
bushes,  passed  obliquely  from  the  road  towards  the  spring, 
and  within  fifty  steps  of  the  house,  which  sheltered  them 
from  view.  From  under  this  cover  Thompson  and  party  de- 
ployed into  line  ten  or  twelve  feet  apart,  and  advanced 
silently  to  their  intended  position.  The  British  were  much 
out  of  order;  some  in  the  barn  throwing  down  oats  for  the 
horses,  others  racing  after  the  pigs,  ducks  and  chickens;  a 
squad  was  robbing  the  bee  hive,  while  others  were  pillaging 
the  dwelling.  A  sentinel  placed  on  watch,  within  a  few 
steps  of  where  the  Americans  were  advancing,  appeared  to 
be  alarmed,  though  he  had  not  seen  them.  Capt.  Thompson 
fired  the  first  shot  and  brought  down  the  sentinel.  This 
being  the  signal  for  the  attack,  each  man,  as  he  could  get  a 
view,  took  ready  and  deliberate  aim  before  he  fired  at  the 
distance  of  60  to  70  steps.  In  two  instances  where  two  hap- 
pened to  aim  at  the  same  pillager,  when  the  first  fired  and 
the  fellow  fell,  the  second  had  to  change  his  aim  and  search 
for  another  object. 

The  enemy  immediately  began  to  form  and  fire  briskly. 
None  of  the  Americans  had  time  to  load  and  fire  the  second 
time,  except  Capt.  Thompson  and  Bradley,  who  were  the 
first  to  discharge  their  rifles.  The  last  shot  of  Thompson's 
was  aimed  at  the  Captain  of  the  party  at  the  barn,  150  steps 
distant,  who  died  of  the  wound  he  received  two  days  after- 
wards, at  the  house  of  Samuel  McCombs,  in  Charlotte, 
Thompson's  party  retreated  through  the  thicket,  which  was 
nearly  parallel  to  the  great  road,  and  only  about  one-half 
mile  from  it.  The  enemy  continued  to  fire  briskly  and  ceased 
about  the  time  the  Americans  were  half  a  mile  away. 

The  main  body  of  the  British  under  Maj.  Doyle,  who 
were  in  the  rear,  hearing  the  firing  at  Mclntire's,  became 
alarmed  and  hurried  to  the  support  of  their  friends.  Capt. 
Thompson's  party  now  loaded  their  rifles,  ascended  the 
creek  bottom,  deployed,  as  before,  under  cover  of  a  high 


430  HISTORY    OP 

bank  parallel  with  the  road,  and  about  40  rods  from  it. 
They  had  not  been  long  at  this  station  before  the  enemy's 
advance,  and  some  wagons,  came  on.  They  severally  fired, 
taking  deliberate  aim,  and  then  retreated  down  the  creek. 
When  the  front  of  the  enemy's  column  arrived  near  the 
creek's  ford,  they  formed  and  commenced  a  tremendous  fire 
through  the  low  ground,  which  continued  till  Thompson's 
army  had  retreated  near  a  half  mile.  The  cavalry  at  the 
same  time  divided,  one-half  passing  down  each  side  of  the 
creek.  Simultaneous  with  this  movement,  six  or  seven 
hounds  came  in  full  cry  on  the  track  of  the  retreating  Amer- 
icans, and  in  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  came  up  with 
them.  One  of  the  dogs  was  shot,  and  the  others  seemed  to 
comprehend  the  situation  and  made  no  further  noise.  The 
country  being  thickly  covered  with  undergrowth,  Thompson's 
men  escaped  unhurt.  The  British  cavalry  kept  on  their  flank 
on  the  high  ground  until  they  reached  the  plantation  of 
Robert  Carr,  St.,  where  they  appeared  much  enraged,  and 
carried  the  old  gentleman,  though  70  years  old,  a  prisoner 
to  Charlotte.  Maj.  Doyle's  party  moved  on  from  the  ford 
of  the  creek  and  formed  a  junction  with  those  at  Mclntire's 
farm ;  gathered  up  eight  dead  and  twelve  wounded,  put  them 
in  their  wagons  and  retreated  to  Charlotte  in  great  haste. 
On  their  arrival  they  reported  that  they  had  found  a  rebel  in 
ever}^  bush  after  passing  seven  miles  in  that  direction.  The 
names  of  those  fourteen  deserve  to  be  perpetuated  in  Meck- 
lenburg history,  namely :  Capt.  James  Thompson,  George 
Graham,  Frank  Bradley  (killed  a  few  days  after  by  four  of 
Bryan's  Tories),  James  Henry,  Thomas  and  John  Dickson, 
John  Long,  Robert  and  John  Robinson,  George  and  Hugh 
Theston,  Thomas  jNIcClure  and  Edward  and  George  Ship- 
ley. It  is  believed  that  during  the  whole  war  the  enemy  did 
not  sustain  so  great  a  loss  nor  meet  with  so  complete  a  disap- 
pointment in  his  objects  by  such  a  mere  handful  of  men. 
That  out  O'f  30  shots  fired,  20  should  have  done  execution,  is 
quite  a  new  experience  in  the  history  of  war,  and  several  of 
Thompson's  men  thought  that  every  shot  would  have  told. 


MKCKLDNBURG   COUNTY. 


431 


SO  deliberate  was  their  aim,  had  each  singled  out  a  different 
object;  but  in  two  or  more  instances,  aiming-  at  the  same 
person.  (Gen,  Joseph  Graham's  narrative,  in  North  Caro^ 
lina  University  Magazine,  March,  1836). 


13 


'^IH 


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